tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34296231577645665392024-03-05T00:15:08.703-06:00AM~Erica Says SoIt's like my own reality talk show...
but in blog form!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger389125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429623157764566539.post-68144920598791075982017-09-18T07:20:00.001-05:002017-09-18T07:20:52.798-05:00ARRGH! AM~Erica Needs to Sail Different TLAP Seas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk9J8SOWRgCoM5bhp_0DGL6ARL41EdlnsaDsBlD3g_-W_oT_ck42Ib99Tp1XdrVrje705siTgfF-yUhoUqcqOpFYjfz99ZdUDj5HFPEzj6d3rHssveBB0UgQSrcREopV1-911G_nw0Wi0C/s1600/AMErica+2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="204" data-original-width="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk9J8SOWRgCoM5bhp_0DGL6ARL41EdlnsaDsBlD3g_-W_oT_ck42Ib99Tp1XdrVrje705siTgfF-yUhoUqcqOpFYjfz99ZdUDj5HFPEzj6d3rHssveBB0UgQSrcREopV1-911G_nw0Wi0C/s1600/AMErica+2.gif" /></a></div>
<i>So anyway...</i><br />
<br />
I'm preparing for one of my favorite weird holiday celebrations: <a href="https://am-ericasezso.blogspot.com/search/label/TLAP%20Day" target="_blank"><b><i><u>International Talk Like a Pirate Day</u></i></b>!</a><br />
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ARRRRRRR!!!!!!<br />
<br />
I already knew my celebrating was going to be a little bit different this year since I'm working AND it falls on a Tuesday, so I was trying to plan how a Krispy Kreme run was going to happen, and trying to work in some food from Long John Silver's.<br />
<br />
To my sad pirate heart, Krispy Kreme backed out of the promo. I've said for a long time it was an odd pairing - but somehow Krispy Kreme & ITLAP Day just worked. The two became synonymous! Children everywhere knew they were gonna get doughnuts for playing dress up!<br />
<br />
You know the scene in "<i>A Christmas Story</i>" where the dogs eat the turkey & older Ralphie starts narrating like reverse Bubba (al a "<i>Forrest Gump</i>" about shrimp) about all the turkey leftover dishes they would not be able have?<br />
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<b><i>"No donuts for dessert! No donuts for breakfast in the morning! No donuts for snack time! No donuts to sneak to eat in the closet!..."</i></b><br />
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Krispy Kreme had decided to run a bigger promo on their pumpkin spice doughnuts & lattés. I would like to point out this is nothing new for them. They've had these for a few years now. If the TLAP promo was a financial strain, just be honest. And pumpkin spice isn't everyone's thing.<br />
<br />
Long John Silver's has been giving away free food off & on the last few years: anywhere from free fish to a free meal, depending on if you were dressed like or ordered like a pirate. This year is also a step back for them. They ARE giving away free food - in the form of a fried Twinkie. A carnival attraction for ANYONE who is pirate-like. One Twinkie. Fried.<br />
<br />
Look - many of our favorite places, who have been great contributors to the day, have kind of let us down in celebrating this ridiculously fun holiday, but it doesn't mean we can't celebrate!<br />
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You can still talk &/or dress like a pirate. Enjoy some of your own sea-worthy goodies. And you can still enter these establishments in full pirate garb & get doughnuts or food from former great celebrators. Be seen to remind them that they have been part of your celebrating so they can think about it.<br />
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Celebrate on, mateys!<br />
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<i>Stay tuned...</i><br />
<br />
<b>God Bless, <i>AM~Erica</i></b><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429623157764566539.post-84292332612883680932016-12-18T14:10:00.000-06:002016-12-18T20:27:18.765-06:00AM~Erica's Search for the Manger<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOe3r6N3SvTdoIxCsh6CuRTnsePAaaXFI-cQKht068jFeyf_jX09qZFB_88o7_IMJehQRjJI677zPhsNxQmmh2WLDKzcF4TyTCKgeu3nhjooK4tbgYQfWBXqJVRjj2VeE3-Q_xXbSKTc60/s1600/AMErica+2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOe3r6N3SvTdoIxCsh6CuRTnsePAaaXFI-cQKht068jFeyf_jX09qZFB_88o7_IMJehQRjJI677zPhsNxQmmh2WLDKzcF4TyTCKgeu3nhjooK4tbgYQfWBXqJVRjj2VeE3-Q_xXbSKTc60/s1600/AMErica+2.gif" /></a></div>
<i>So anyway...</i><br />
<br />
It's Christmastime. Not sure if you've figured that out yet or not, but here we are. And, per the usual, it has felt extremely hectic. The time I have allotted to get stuff done has seemed to loosen from my grasp as other schedules have worked their way into mine.<br />
<br />
Figures.<br />
<br />
I'm in one of those places where I keep trying to find Christmas in the chaos.<br />
<br />
All of a sudden, I feel like a ton of typical Christmas specials at once!<br />
<br />
As we are entering the last week to get to Christmas, I think about a particular search of that special something I was hunting a few years ago:<br />
<br />
...a manger.<br />
<br />
I was to do one of my dances for Christmas Eve. I felt called to do <b><i>"Mary Did You Know?"</i></b> to dance to. I informed my daughter she would dance with me - no, I didn't give her the option. This duet would be the Angel showing Mary about the amazingness her Son would possess. Since I wanted the dance to begin Mary sitting at the manger with her newborn son, I needed the manger at the church to be put out there.<br />
<br />
I went searching...<br />
<br />
I looked high.<br />
I looked low.<br />
I looked over.<br />
I looked under.<br />
I looked through.<br />
I looked around.<br />
I looked behind.<br />
I looked between.<br />
<br />
No matter where I looked, I couldn't find the manger!<br />
<br />
So I asked around.<br />
<br />
I asked the children's ministry director.<br />
I asked the ushers.<br />
I asked staff.<br />
I asked those who had been on staff for a long time.<br />
I asked those who had helped with the children's play for a long time.<br />
I asked those who had volunteered for a long time.<br />
<br />
No one seemed to know where to find that manger!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Time was ticking closer to Christmas Eve services and doing that dance...and I still couldn't find that manger.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Oh, there were speculations of where it might be, but there was nothing definitive; there was no proof. The manger just...wasn't...there...</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
My daughter & I still worked on the dance while pretending the manger was there, still holding out hope we'd find it; I was holding out hope I would find it.</div>
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Christmas Eve came, and my daughter & I were ready for the dance, outfits ready, and we knew what to do. There was one thing missing from that dance: the manger.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I had to do what I felt I needed to - I improvised. I found a stand-in for the manger. A decent-sized basket would just have make do. A pretend manger for the plastic newborn King.</div>
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<br /></div>
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It wasn't the same. I didn't find the manger. I had to fake a manger. I had to pretend a basket was the same thing. It wasn't. It wasn't.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
I had to shrug the whole thing off as an "oh well" moment. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
One of people I had asked counsel on for the manger is also a good friend. He has a way of finding a different perspective on situations. He lightheartedly said, <i>"Huh! This sounds like it could be a Christmas movie for Lifetime, <b>'In Search of the Manger.'</b> You know, the focus is on searching for a physical manger, and it turns out the manger was there all along..."</i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
For a very long time, one of the ushers would ask me if I found the manger every chance he could get. I was actually pretty irritated thinking about never finding the manger, and I kept getting reminded.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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After I stopped wondering where that manger went, it turned out it was tucked away in the church's attic - a place many people didn't realize they should look.</div>
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<br /></div>
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That's right - the manger was tucked in a secluded corner, just within reach, among the dust, the dirt, the clutter.</div>
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<div>
Pretty fitting.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
I still think of that story from time-to-time. The search for that manger...</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Here we are, a week from Christmas, and I'm caught in a whirlwind of Christmas chaos while trying to find that moment of Christmas. Trying to find that moment I keep searching for while the time keeps slipping off elsewhere...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Yesterday was our first "big snow." OK, it wasn't big, per se, but it was messy, it was cold. We stayed inside the best we could. A quiet moment in the chaos, sure. But it wasn't getting me to the point I felt I needed to be in for Christmas.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Due to some of the wintery mess & crazy-cold temperatures, many churches in the area closed this morning. Ours was not one of them. We were hoping roads would be OK enough for my poor car to get there. I wanted to be at church. My husband would be giving a message that I probably needed a reminder of, as he preached the 4th Advent sermon in his "Channel Surfing Christmas" series. You know, using several Christmas shows to make a point how the Christmas story is still relevant.</div>
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As I went into the kitchen, something caught my eye:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig9LE-p3Yyz84SEimA_x0VjgM2UmIM128mKWpmwdh6lDsgH6_pgyxBN68kdOLIt32B2RleuJz82PE5qSdoH1v0MRt0vBZtewWo2JmZVYxUokKwC9n66zZFbRgd5FhygEBD0SnFuZ_h1AXR/s1600/MangerSearch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig9LE-p3Yyz84SEimA_x0VjgM2UmIM128mKWpmwdh6lDsgH6_pgyxBN68kdOLIt32B2RleuJz82PE5qSdoH1v0MRt0vBZtewWo2JmZVYxUokKwC9n66zZFbRgd5FhygEBD0SnFuZ_h1AXR/s640/MangerSearch.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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See that? Yeah, I did a double-take, too. I noticed a free-standing manger right outside my kitchen window. It was right there!</div>
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OK, after a little bit, and when the shock wore off, I did realize it was a play table in our neighbor's yard. It was just perfectly placed & covered in snow.</div>
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<br /></div>
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And it hit me: there's the manger! I've looked so hard for it, I didn't realize it's right there in front of me. Seemingly unattainable, out of reach, and looking everywhere for it except where it truly is. Right there. And not in the form I had ever expected.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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When I do my Advent dance to "Prepare a Place," there is a line that I need to remember:</div>
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<i><b>Set time aside, and be quiet, as you wait for the coming One.</b></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i><b>Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God."</b></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Yesterday was mostly a quiet day. Focus on here & now; waiting & anticipating the celebrating of Jesus' birth. Time was set aside in the cold, bleak weather of December. And I woke up to the manger.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Christ is coming, my friends.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<i>Stay tuned...</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>God Bless, <i>AM~Erica</i></b></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429623157764566539.post-15870599290193270582016-11-22T23:10:00.000-06:002016-11-22T23:29:26.298-06:00AM~Erica Had a Dickens of an Evening: Round 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxmDY8r0BXrtJD6ozPLfSksqwyBIbtoHNdtk_AA7E5jye_cMn3vU0B453YIxWw75CFGD_pKvHc79DucCQz9SGqBvY1dXXQJu2bd6DUcdGRPa3-LIM3JvGHeFAEmSFXgvD5WflhwnQr7Ow/s1600/AMErica+2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxmDY8r0BXrtJD6ozPLfSksqwyBIbtoHNdtk_AA7E5jye_cMn3vU0B453YIxWw75CFGD_pKvHc79DucCQz9SGqBvY1dXXQJu2bd6DUcdGRPa3-LIM3JvGHeFAEmSFXgvD5WflhwnQr7Ow/s1600/AMErica+2.gif" /></a></div>
<i>So anyway...</i><br />
<br />
Last year, I discovered an incredible opportunity for the family to take part in. I was thrilled to be able to take in 'A Christmas Carol' one-man show as performed by, Gerald Dickens (the great-great grandson of Charles Dickens). <b><i><u><a href="http://am-ericasezso.blogspot.com/2015/11/america-enjoy-dickens-out-of-evening.html" target="_blank">IT WAS AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE!</a></u></i></b><br />
<br />
I knew it had to be good when even the youngest (who I thought had tuned out) was talking about how good the performance was, and that Gerald was funny!<br />
<br />
We get talking about holidays pretty early around here. When we talked about stuff to do to enjoy the fall & Christmas seasons, I remembered Gerald. I did a quick search to see if he might be returning this year. As it turned out, he WAS! YAY! So, we talked to the kids to see if it was something they wanted to do again. They were all in! So, on an early September day, I was signing up the family to go see Gerald Dickens for a second year in a row.<br />
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Well, tonight was that night. I got ready to go in some 50's style Christmasy attire. I thought about wearing some of my Victorian-inspired/steampunk type costuming, but I backed off this time. The rest of the family was ready to go. And off we went!<br />
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The parking lot was already pretty full. But we found a decent spot & worked our way in. We surveyed the room & decided to find our seats before taking in the refreshments set up in the back of the John Knox Pavilion.<br />
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On the way to find seats, I realized Captain Jack of Captain Jack's Steampunk Irregulars was in attendance! (He was at our AFSP Out of the Darkness Walk in October!) We greeted each other, as I think I may have looked familiar - even if I wasn't in a tutu.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDx8Uh7cjlZh3lGSlejo0n7WzQxwEn4Y5qkIveml4FgNTM_Srs-ucFWttV6PK6S9z9gwy_TT-jOkCYEzp-2-8pUbWPLoxRqM9unOmdF1dQfjQ4qX5lhauisRJP79ESqyz1T4VWKNXlmW_K/s1600/IMG_2935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDx8Uh7cjlZh3lGSlejo0n7WzQxwEn4Y5qkIveml4FgNTM_Srs-ucFWttV6PK6S9z9gwy_TT-jOkCYEzp-2-8pUbWPLoxRqM9unOmdF1dQfjQ4qX5lhauisRJP79ESqyz1T4VWKNXlmW_K/s640/IMG_2935.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><b><i><span style="color: #666666;">During the Out of the Darkness walk for AFSP of KC</span></i></b></td></tr>
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Then I got thinking that maybe I should have costumed myself a bit more Victorian.<br />
Hmmm...maybe another time.<br />
<br />
After we found some seats a little closer to the back, but still in the middle aisle, we sent the kids to the long line awaiting refreshment. My hubby & I were discussing the surroundings. One thing we realized was that we were sitting in nearly the same spot as last year. Interesting.<br />
<br />
In the distance, I noticed my high school speech coach was there in attendance quite a bit closer to the stage than where we were camped out, so I couldn't get over to him. <i>(Hi, Mr. Martin! <b>*WAVES*</b>)</i> And we were enjoying the background sounds of the live Dickens-style choir being quite entertaining. The kids were still in the long line, so I approached them to have them just fix up some hot chocolate for their parents - OK, I asked for a hot chocolate/coffee combo.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBkzc5bGr7Mp0iaRZD9GWNqypcPtpOQCM32jB-oHCIc-DUxHlxailDx1pCRFi_2iEFyq7TIRWV2yYBRiJqwpSLfcPpX_Hk-C3o_S4u-B1RK0ZU_rSm-YDHlZOoo_2dTeu-xa3Sv2gUOAVI/s1600/IMG_3285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBkzc5bGr7Mp0iaRZD9GWNqypcPtpOQCM32jB-oHCIc-DUxHlxailDx1pCRFi_2iEFyq7TIRWV2yYBRiJqwpSLfcPpX_Hk-C3o_S4u-B1RK0ZU_rSm-YDHlZOoo_2dTeu-xa3Sv2gUOAVI/s640/IMG_3285.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #666666;">Waiting on our refreshment from the kiddos before the show</span></i></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJHrkepj3XGjSuCDb8R2Z1qVqGQdFJrJQ5nB28g6qxpvbLsymCHXHtin_hjH4s2EDVg0QuzwhZj5RbwrCnNDbKuFYMY-QpKDDa60QXWq9lVbj-RP-y3x6-DDaISMc4sqtxhOfVVC5ZuF5/s1600/IMG_3286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJHrkepj3XGjSuCDb8R2Z1qVqGQdFJrJQ5nB28g6qxpvbLsymCHXHtin_hjH4s2EDVg0QuzwhZj5RbwrCnNDbKuFYMY-QpKDDa60QXWq9lVbj-RP-y3x6-DDaISMc4sqtxhOfVVC5ZuF5/s640/IMG_3286.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #666666;">The wonderful carolers before the show</span></i></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhVx85uaJ4qhgAgrClWnQhTY9x3DLQYO2YvjWabrGYJm9STilCALndVhozH1i3bmYwElSRdMbIljYtBPyzB1KXQB5h6pz6IcLPIQDwrmKPkbDCdQPhM1lj6nbmChwYeklLT9BKl2Sjc37y/s1600/IMG_3288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhVx85uaJ4qhgAgrClWnQhTY9x3DLQYO2YvjWabrGYJm9STilCALndVhozH1i3bmYwElSRdMbIljYtBPyzB1KXQB5h6pz6IcLPIQDwrmKPkbDCdQPhM1lj6nbmChwYeklLT9BKl2Sjc37y/s640/IMG_3288.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b><i>Settled & waiting for the show to start!</i></b></span></td></tr>
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The kids made it back with refreshment in the most adorable cups! We may need to find some...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRHvuUJ_HyEPZs5ItXR9aJZe6OkBXZdkFZqYrWsbFO37iVnyOSczX5LZ2iJW_QUgzbchvDFfCxw7bWmBilo_GtgZCQoVvDUgcreenPrE_TcXp3LsclKlFUIx0lxwtWlmOkvCVmdjl3S9V/s1600/IMG_3287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRHvuUJ_HyEPZs5ItXR9aJZe6OkBXZdkFZqYrWsbFO37iVnyOSczX5LZ2iJW_QUgzbchvDFfCxw7bWmBilo_GtgZCQoVvDUgcreenPrE_TcXp3LsclKlFUIx0lxwtWlmOkvCVmdjl3S9V/s640/IMG_3287.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<br />
Even though either the hot chocolate or the coffee was incredibly watered down, I still took in the drink while we waited for the performance to start.<br />
<br />
One of the hosts approached the stage to give us a rundown of some housekeeping items, and then the official introduction of Gerald! YAY!<br />
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The familiar start of Trans-Siberian Orchestra's 'Christmas Eve Sarajevo' started as people were slowly taking their seats. C'mon, people! The show's starting!<br />
<br />
After the performance last year, I went & found a copy of <b><i>'A Christmas Carol'</i></b> to read again. It had been too many years! Not only was the purchase inspired by the performance, but I began to ponder the 1st spirit. I needed to know how that ghost was originally depicted!<br />
I found that out, got to read the fully manuscript, see some wonderful illustrations, and was enlightened, once again, to the wonderful story.<br />
<br />
The performance went on delightfully. Even with the extra talking, phone notifications going on (c'mon - who set their alarm to go off at the beginning of the show?) & some ringing, people just getting up & wandering around at odd times. Or how about the bus that showed up about 5 minutes before the show ended to pick up some of the older folks? They couldn't stay until the end?<br />
<br />
Even with the extra distractions, Gerald, once again, gave an amazing telling of his great-great grandfather's storytelling! Again, every character was distinct, the energy was outstanding, and the emotions & expressions were fantastic! We were amazed by how flawless the show seemed to move, even with all the distractions. We are a theater family, so we understand the difficulty to keep things moving when you worked so hard to put it together, and others are attending, but paying no attention. We get it! We were embarrassed FOR the offenders. They really had no idea what they were there to witness!<br />
<br />
Last year, there was no announcement of any meet & greet - so we left. Tonight was different. There would be a meet & greet afterward! There were souvenir programs being sold to have signed, but I had something different in mind: if he was going to sign things this time, I was bringing the book!<br />
<br />
After a well-deserved standing ovation, we made our way to the back to decide if we were sticking around or not. After some himming & hawwing, we decided to get in line. It was just my daughter & I. The boys wanted no part of the line or the crowd.<br />
<br />
While we stood there, and after some sweet geriatric parades went through the line to get to where they needed to be, Gerald made his way back out, slightly refreshed from surely a draining performance. He was kind enough to leave his beautiful costuming on. Probably for those of us who wanted photos, too.<br />
<br />
As the line moved, my daughter & I were approached by a lady in front of us wanting to know if we'd take a group picture of the few in front of us. We were kind & agreed. She then started looking at my book & became greatly envious of it! She snatched it from my hand & demanded to know where I found it! Apparently I'm a "stinkpot" for finding the book a year ago & having the foresight to get it. Then another gal from the group asked if we'd also take a pic of just her with Gerald. Somehow I became the photographer for a group of folks I didn't even know.<br />
<br />
It was time for the group to approach the table, and I prepared to take their set of photos as they had about 8 copies of <b><i>'A Christmas Carol'</i></b> to have autographed.<br />
<br />
In this time, my sons decided to join my daughter & me in line - they now wanted to meet the man, too. My hubby still wanted no part of it, even though he's thoroughly impressed with Mr. Dickens.<br />
<br />
Finally the group posed with Gerald, and I snapped a couple of shots for the group; then I snapped a couple of shots with the one lady who wanted her own personal documentation.<br />
<br />
Now, we were up!<br />
<br />
We greeted a smiling Gerald, who was quite personable, and I handed my book to him.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5n55os_BSSqhSORofaJciJ15zs9i0GRQnZFxh8L9u7zdvav-6bUpB1qd1UaizvhhzmItwGbBzxceT96eaJ5tdRoJgSSpGo8slcpcyOl9p1OhI_gZ45Jsxyg9_4q_GlfrixU5wfAjGPbcx/s1600/IMG_3294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5n55os_BSSqhSORofaJciJ15zs9i0GRQnZFxh8L9u7zdvav-6bUpB1qd1UaizvhhzmItwGbBzxceT96eaJ5tdRoJgSSpGo8slcpcyOl9p1OhI_gZ45Jsxyg9_4q_GlfrixU5wfAjGPbcx/s640/IMG_3294.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
He seemed genuinely delighted by it. He flipped through the golden-trimmed pages & noted it seemed to be a facsimile of the original manuscript. He even found some of the illustrations & pointed out how each one was originally colored by hand in that time.<br />
<br />
The book cover was then opened at the front, and flipped to the title page. Ah! The autograph went right there, and was even dated!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLaEhkPsdWj-kZ92_ZEGILytnoGM4284Gcg4Mdta9BVtF9iv67jGo4h8PVjm-DFyskqvPyMLSoI0zE-IDkrHK6grJ_ctoPnVvc_UxwP7v0DEGPUHXqS-pC_CcLlRyT9cbqgYnLmTWM9mD/s1600/IMG_3295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLaEhkPsdWj-kZ92_ZEGILytnoGM4284Gcg4Mdta9BVtF9iv67jGo4h8PVjm-DFyskqvPyMLSoI0zE-IDkrHK6grJ_ctoPnVvc_UxwP7v0DEGPUHXqS-pC_CcLlRyT9cbqgYnLmTWM9mD/s640/IMG_3295.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We wanted a photo with him, too, of course. My daughter grabbed a guy close by to see if he'd be so kind to take a pic or two. Apparently there was a designated picture-taker, but she kept roaming when a photo was needed.<br />
The kiddos & I gathered around the other side of the table with Gerald Dickens & put on our best smiles. Even the boys! They usually duck & try to stay out of photos. This is a BIG deal!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYaO_3IUfx1fxtNr7ciO15YtY9P-SycSI93mave0qvQVMsJGcla1N4LGxqVl76mr-6BAqj5Qr3DH82pWtqZgDyO2mHbYH0IWaSdGWto71GG2N4YH79JQ8AfRmbfAi9aOoFw-Fy49ODh7a/s1600/IMG_3291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYaO_3IUfx1fxtNr7ciO15YtY9P-SycSI93mave0qvQVMsJGcla1N4LGxqVl76mr-6BAqj5Qr3DH82pWtqZgDyO2mHbYH0IWaSdGWto71GG2N4YH79JQ8AfRmbfAi9aOoFw-Fy49ODh7a/s640/IMG_3291.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I thanked him for blogging. It's interesting to get the performer's point of view with each show. And I wondered what he was thinking of this crowd as he performed. He seemed surprised I read his blog, and then thanked me. I let him know I blogged about his performance last year, too. He seemed to remember! We went on our way as he bid us an aidue with, <b><i>"See you next year!"</i></b><br />
<br />
He was wonderful & generous with his time. A great moment for the kiddos, too.<br />
<br />
We then headed home. Again, we beamed about the show! Although, my hubby had a hard time getting into it fully only due to the extra distractions, but we were all still thoroughly entertained!<br />
<br />
Also, we might have to make this a tradition. I hope so. Even though it's free to the crowd, this is a wonderful event to attend! Seriously!<br />
<br />
So, we are home, and this "stinkpot" plans on placing our signed copy of <b><i>'A Christmas Carol'</i></b> prominently upon our shelves with our other decor in our first Christmas at our Believe Inn.<br />
<br />
A great way to begin our Christmas season! You should think about taking it in, too.<br />
<br />
<i>Stay tuned...</i><br />
<br />
<b>God Bless, <i>AM~Erica</i></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429623157764566539.post-9417170933497935512016-10-26T10:40:00.001-05:002016-10-27T08:51:36.390-05:00AM~Erica in Search of Modern Suffragettes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJhk9w8qLixkXABahqLxqCds7z6zCqiO7PkpDK8s34XBjCLJcYTTHrpAPl7uNadL8KS44PwoNiw-9HggHb8Wn7LI-c5OJF82h7XfNzPTIy4PI9K2lWRTb9J7nI463zbhMyKcJx9rrQLa-/s1600/AMErica+2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJhk9w8qLixkXABahqLxqCds7z6zCqiO7PkpDK8s34XBjCLJcYTTHrpAPl7uNadL8KS44PwoNiw-9HggHb8Wn7LI-c5OJF82h7XfNzPTIy4PI9K2lWRTb9J7nI463zbhMyKcJx9rrQLa-/s1600/AMErica+2.gif" /></a></div>
<i>So anyway...</i><br />
<br />
We are on countdown to less than 2 weeks until the end of trash-talking campaign ads as election season is winding down to a close.<br />
<br />
THANK GOODNESS!!<br />
<br />
I'm not ready for the Christmas commercials to begin, but the few I've seen have actually been refreshing, and a welcome change, compared to the doom & gloom of attack ads for the looming of Super Tuesday.<br />
<br />
However, this means Super Tuesday is right around the corner. And it is incredibly important we get out there to vote on November 8th!<br />
<br />
No, the presidential candidates are not the best of choices, but don't let this particular race deter you from voting if you are registered to vote.<br />
<br />
This is Super Tuesday we are talking about! There's more than one issue & office on the ballot that need our voices heard!<br />
<br />
If you click <b><i><u><a href="https://jcebmo.org/wp-content/uploads/NOTICE-OF-GENERAL-ELECTION-11-08-2016-1.pdf" target="_blank">HERE</a></u></i></b>, you will see a sample ballot for just my county. My municipality will have additional voting on top of this, as well as other surrounding municipalities. Look at all of it! There is a whole lot more going on, voting-wise, than just president. There's other federal, state, and local candidates & issues to focus on, too. It's my thinking that this ballot is not alone.<br />
<br />
How do we break all of this down? If you go to <a href="https://ballotpedia.org/Main_Page" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">BALLOTPEDIA</a>, there you will find an incredible breakdown of the candidates & issues! Research this stuff so you know what & who you are voting on.<br />
<br />
With all of that said, I want to, once again, turn my attention to my fella female registered voters across this great land:<br />
<br />
Early voting has begun in many places. Even if you are voting early, or by absentee ballot, remember <b><i><u><a href="http://am-ericasezso.blogspot.com/2016/09/americas-yellow-sash-revolution.html" target="_blank">THE REVOLUTION</a></u></i></b>! Get out your yellow, get a yellow sash, find something as a yellow sash, and get your vote on!<br />
<br />
Whether you vote early, or if you vote on Super Tuesday, remind ourselves about what the suffragettes before us were fighting for. We haven't been casting ballots for a hundred years yet. This is still shiny & new. Let's keep using our 19th amendment right to get in there & make our voices heard.<br />
<br />
Remember, when you vote, early or on November 8th, and no matter who or what it is you're voting for, let's use our harmony of voting voices to remind ourselves, remind each other, and remind the nation that we do vote.<br />
<br />
When you go vote, like I said, remember to wear your yellow sash, or wear yellow (the main color of the American suffragette movement), then get a selfie or two:<br />
<br />
* in front of the polling place, OUTSIDE<br />
* with your voting sticker<br />
* in your yellow<br />
<br />
Be sure to hashtag it, across social media, with <b><i><span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;">#YellowSashRevolution</span></i></b>. Let's get this visual movement going!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0GMcUoUBYw1di_BdPt4zkT4kLGK4uNnqMVEpbaf8fT2ZgA8OhDkXU56nOvYp0Lc-rcnPcCy2Gsm2ANboUoJgbi4NOO9DBfCmPG-mhwLB-g53fjUdkhfelzO1OeDy2wIPdoEpVY467ya6B/s1600/IMG_3083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0GMcUoUBYw1di_BdPt4zkT4kLGK4uNnqMVEpbaf8fT2ZgA8OhDkXU56nOvYp0Lc-rcnPcCy2Gsm2ANboUoJgbi4NOO9DBfCmPG-mhwLB-g53fjUdkhfelzO1OeDy2wIPdoEpVY467ya6B/s640/IMG_3083.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b><i>Here's 2 of my sashes I've made, recently, along with my last sticker & other adornments I'm considering wearing.</i></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Remember, there are laws about where photos can be taken, and what of, on voting day. There are states that don't allow photos inside the polling place or at the voting booth, but the grander scale is no photos of the ballot & who you have voted for!<br />
<br />
Also, you are not to wear candidate &/or issue campaign wear inside the polling place.<br />
<br />
Please be a smart voter. Use your right, use your head, use your heart, use your conscience, use your voice, wear your yellow, and go vote!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEcFPiRVk-XGosiFBkpssDpFtespX7EIlXAbhYibk1M8JrWaTGiqWxVxSUPWBpn8ntqNvlQ2I7XUtNm_TtwzFkimOPJUp4I9exicGwcLp5YPjXddw_seLHrC5SO8m76WuGBHDPseGwUNDS/s1600/VotesForWomen_sash2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEcFPiRVk-XGosiFBkpssDpFtespX7EIlXAbhYibk1M8JrWaTGiqWxVxSUPWBpn8ntqNvlQ2I7XUtNm_TtwzFkimOPJUp4I9exicGwcLp5YPjXddw_seLHrC5SO8m76WuGBHDPseGwUNDS/s640/VotesForWomen_sash2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5yMP30Cj131B4mzmxmbAA6YQrx6buoeT4IvbUgDk8BRWJneZR73eIr9zbY5CNIz7z0eKUPUC7TryAG405WN4hcvSDJIipFJOwIapiQuxVaYLJghk4Bj1FYs5j7-GwEdHvv_l7D9rPGzK6/s1600/VotesForWomen_sash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5yMP30Cj131B4mzmxmbAA6YQrx6buoeT4IvbUgDk8BRWJneZR73eIr9zbY5CNIz7z0eKUPUC7TryAG405WN4hcvSDJIipFJOwIapiQuxVaYLJghk4Bj1FYs5j7-GwEdHvv_l7D9rPGzK6/s640/VotesForWomen_sash.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I'm not a "<b><i>copy & paste this</i></b>" or a "<b><i>share this post</i></b>" kind of person, but let's band together, as women registered to vote, and make our presence known!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6L2fvpcVquueCCnKncunSwMmwscrJmTkisZYSbneczH54l1Ew20ZtPQncqd8OSWPuXlUWLeWZ0K3LHKObee4FiCZcCKcok9MLaye-w2b3J1P3pCu24P6lrf1D1TH-MukUfSg76ViWDUW-/s1600/Suffragette_Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6L2fvpcVquueCCnKncunSwMmwscrJmTkisZYSbneczH54l1Ew20ZtPQncqd8OSWPuXlUWLeWZ0K3LHKObee4FiCZcCKcok9MLaye-w2b3J1P3pCu24P6lrf1D1TH-MukUfSg76ViWDUW-/s640/Suffragette_Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
You in? Who's with me?<br />
<br />
<b><u>UPDATE:</u></b> Support the movement by getting your <span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;"><i><b>#YellowSashRevolution</b></i></span> Twibbon added to your photo <b><i><u><a href="http://twibbon.com/support/yellowsashrevolution" target="_blank">HERE</a></u></i></b>!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZzCMc1KuR_TTPoI7UYRKot6PVQFf8n9MV1JBXX75otKXe0-oHjMVAUDE9qJY1mMaLl0rJo_eGHoaeYQBAoQV6WqxTI-kOacVRuA2cTW25R-ph6g5uA9z5eoR4uieQJLsr1_UvhNCD_jD/s1600/YellowSashRevolution_suffragette_twibbon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZzCMc1KuR_TTPoI7UYRKot6PVQFf8n9MV1JBXX75otKXe0-oHjMVAUDE9qJY1mMaLl0rJo_eGHoaeYQBAoQV6WqxTI-kOacVRuA2cTW25R-ph6g5uA9z5eoR4uieQJLsr1_UvhNCD_jD/s320/YellowSashRevolution_suffragette_twibbon.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2mH2KOgoItDtprnbIjyMaH_bSh3t9WgZyL-OH9vb8ZoyrcH1GGbnRjgc3Omv5r5hhDRnMoTah2M91kujWRG8TvY_3n4X1Y6pAsESNDsJrmfIY-4SP8KgZlQi8oOpqVzyaL7q42jjEWad/s1600/YellowSashRevolution_RosieRiveter_twibbon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2mH2KOgoItDtprnbIjyMaH_bSh3t9WgZyL-OH9vb8ZoyrcH1GGbnRjgc3Omv5r5hhDRnMoTah2M91kujWRG8TvY_3n4X1Y6pAsESNDsJrmfIY-4SP8KgZlQi8oOpqVzyaL7q42jjEWad/s320/YellowSashRevolution_RosieRiveter_twibbon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<i>Stay tuned...</i><br />
<br />
<b>God Bless, <i>AM~Erica</i></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429623157764566539.post-64090377940273717062016-10-08T12:12:00.001-05:002016-10-08T12:12:08.854-05:00AM~Erica's Reluctant Confession<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKdo4DKrzElw8NN-GCyGBZ_9GXE9hhxFeN5JJumiMM4mDRPHkSUWulsb4Zeq2Lw3pnyVG9CsKWNm6aT-8tf6FarTmDdgpw6MF_bGN_FZ9ZyFrEQmR_6zRR1GEQwgPUkt1db_mhyphenhypheniPw29X/s1600/AMErica+2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKdo4DKrzElw8NN-GCyGBZ_9GXE9hhxFeN5JJumiMM4mDRPHkSUWulsb4Zeq2Lw3pnyVG9CsKWNm6aT-8tf6FarTmDdgpw6MF_bGN_FZ9ZyFrEQmR_6zRR1GEQwgPUkt1db_mhyphenhypheniPw29X/s1600/AMErica+2.gif" /></a></div>
<i>So anyway...</i><br />
<br />
I didn't want to do this.<br />
<br />
I really didn't.<br />
<br />
Honestly, I thought I was fine. But it turns out I was only "fine."<br />
<br />
I've kept a dark secret for many years. Even darker than my <b><i><u><a href="http://am-ericasezso.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html" target="_blank">SUICIDE & DEPRESSION JOURNEY</a></u></i></b>.<br />
<br />
Something triggered memories. Hard & scary memories. I don't want to talk about it. At all. But, as it turns out, I need to talk about it.<br />
<br />
I want to throw up right now. I want to ugly cry right now. Because I didn't want to do it; I didn't want to bring this part of me up. But here goes...<br />
<br />
*BIG...DEEP...SLOW...BREATH...*<br />
<br />
Here I am, another woman who has been sexually assaulted.<br />
<br />
Yep. I said it.<br />
<br />
OK, I'm going to open up about my story. There could be triggers for anyone who has been through this, is going through it, or has been through worse. Brace yourselves.<br />
<br />
(Begin Trigger Warning)<br />
<br />
**********<br />
<br />
I had this guy friend in high school. I don't even remember how we met, really, but we just kind of clicked. And, for now, I'm going to call him "L."<br />
<br />
L was someone I was really coming to care about. We talked every day, joked, shared stuff...<br />
We were quickly becoming very good friends. And, as it happens with teenagers sometimes, I was developing quite a crush on him. But I didn't want to push anything since I didn't know if he felt the same way.<br />
<br />
As our friendship grew, others were asking if we were "a thing." Others could certainly see a relationship building. But I would blow it off with a laugh, and so would L. But we never said we weren't - and, at the same time, we never said we were.<br />
<br />
After a phone conversation one night, the question came up: What were we? And I think we decided we were "a thing!" I was pretty excited!<br />
<br />
In the next day or two, when asked if we were a thing, L sort of denied it. We were...but we weren't. If Facebook was a thing back then, we probably would have been in a relationship labeled "It's Complicated." Ugh.<br />
<br />
Even if we weren't a thing, we were still friends. I know, it's weird. I still cared for him, but we ultimately were "just friends."<br />
<br />
We were "just friends" for a long time. Which was fine, actually.<br />
<br />
I remember when he got a job where my mom taught. He was hired as an after school janitor, but that meant I got to talk to him a little more often. As friends.<br />
<br />
One day, a mutual friend of ours had stopped by the school & we were sitting on a main staircase chatting. All of a sudden, L decided to roll on top of me! I quickly pushed him off in shock & confusion. Our mutual friend just sat there in shock, and said, "Uh...O...K?"<br />
Really, I thought it was just me - like I had imagined it. But I didn't.<br />
We never brought it back up, and I just took it as he was joking around. And we continued on as "just friends."<br />
<br />
Some time after that, while we were at my mom's school (where he was working), L caught my attention & said he wanted to show me something. I didn't even think twice about it, and just followed him. I followed my friend...<br />
<br />
L took me into the library. The librarian had already gone home for the day, so the lights were out. My guess was that he was going to show me some ridiculous book he found while cleaning in there. He took me to the back of the library...instead of showing me some ridiculous book, I found myself on my back, on the floor.<br />
<br />
I realized he was on top of me, his hands held down my wrists, his legs trapped my legs...and he began to push his body down onto mine.<br />
<br />
I panicked! What was happening? Who was this?<br />
<br />
For a moment that seemed to last way too long, I wriggled a leg loose & kneed him in the groin! L collapsed into fetal position which freed me from his grip. And I ran.<br />
<br />
I ran back to my mom's classroom to wait for her to be done so we could leave that place. And I said nothing.<br />
<br />
Why? Why would I not tell what horrific thing my "friend" just did to me?<br />
I had to weigh what I thought might be worse: silence or not being believed.<br />
<br />
Since L had been a friend for so long, I really thought I wouldn't be believed. I couldn't handle that thought. I couldn't handle someone making his actions OK or telling me I provoked it somehow, so I stayed silent.<br />
<br />
Not sure if anyone noticed I cut off any ties I had to him, but I did. I couldn't look at him, and I didn't want him in my presence. I was shaken, I was upset, I was hurt.<br />
<br />
No, L didn't rape me, but he sure tried to. I believe he wanted to use our "complicated relationship" as an out to think I would just give in to him.<br />
<br />
He got the surprise of a knee to the groin & loss of a friendship all in hopes he could take advantage of me.<br />
<br />
Here we are, many years later, and I'm still affected by it. I was violated, and I was ashamed that it happened to me. I replayed it in my head many times wondering what I did to allow it to happen. Did I provoke it?<br />
<br />
The answer is no. I didn't. I was a friend. L took advantage of my trust in him & tried to use it for his own pleasure.<br />
<br />
**********<br />
<br />
(End Trigger Warning)<br />
<br />
I try very hard to not bring up presidential candidate names. But I'm going to have to break my rule a bit.<br />
<br />
Even though it was over a decade ago (wait...2005 was over a decade? I thought 10 years ago was the 90's!), Donald Trump was actively describing sexual assault as OK. He made it sound like he could use his power of stardom to gain trust from any woman he approached, then he could just purchase her, like a thing, with furniture, kissing, or grabbing...and acting like it's OK.<br />
<br />
Though the stuff that came out in that audio was beyond disgusting, he has made women & people of color as things through his campaigning. And people, even women, have acted like this is OK.<br />
<br />
Honestly, anyone who has been through a sexual assault or rape have been triggered horribly. This isn't something we can just look past & act like a lack-a-daisy apology makes it OK. Women were deeply affected by his actions.<br />
<br />
As to those who want to raise this as a banner for him to step down, don't forget he brought up Bill Clinton. It doesn't make his actions any less, but he has a point. But hear me out...<br />
<br />
Bill used his charisma to do much of the same thing to women. And he was PRAISED for it! Even by women! What's worse? His wife used each of these, on top of shaming of these women, to keep latched upon his charismatic coattail to get her to this point.<br />
<br />
No, it's not the only thing that is surrounding these presidential candidates, but they have both used sexual assault as a power trip to get into where they are now.<br />
<br />
That's right - both Donald AND Hillary are in this place by using power, that includes sexual assault of women, to get to this place, right now.<br />
<br />
How's that koolaid taste? It's got a Koolaid Power: Sexual-Assault flavor. And it comes in Red AND Blue flavors!<br />
<br />
I pray for these candidates. It's what Christ has told us to do. But I cannot stand on a platform that has the sexual assault of women as part of the podium...and certainly not back in the White House.<br />
<br />
I prefer to shun all of it...<br />
...much like L. I have shunned him. I've blocked him & want nothing to do with him. I do know he's asked about me. I know we still have mutual contacts. His name comes up in conversation from time-to-time...and I still feel sick in the pit of stomach & a chill go down my spine when his name comes up. I can't get around it. Yes, this means some of you reading this know him. You probably interact with him often, too.<br />
But I can do my best to keep him away from affecting my life.<br />
<br />
We should probably think about that very thing with these candidates. Keep them out of affecting our lives.<br />
<br />
This is what I ask of you as a woman, a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend who has experienced sexual assault & was triggered.<br />
<br />
Triggered enough to step out of my comfort zone & lay it out here for you see. Not for sympathy, but to see this entire debacle from a survivor's point of view. And it's dark.<br />
<br />
I probably don't want to speak with my voice about this, but felt this needed to be shared. I didn't want to share. But we are at a point where it can't be silenced any longer.<br />
<br />
OK...I'm going to go cry, maybe throw up, and maybe need another shower.<br />
<br />
<i>Stay tuned...</i><br />
<br />
<b>God Bless, <i>AM~Erica</i></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429623157764566539.post-30796508453591432362016-09-27T21:17:00.001-05:002016-10-26T08:07:18.814-05:00AM~Erica's Yellow Sash Revolution<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ZSxO3UXLlbhyphenhyphenHW1k-skUeSOjfR_CNzX0K0Qu7c2cSPoOOtrz1dPafmY3RXslaP5BJjwF0RdlQgQ54tpJ_ndoFvG_lCcJbXN_2R9JeItIsEtUOLuXkvwqe4XZw5SizdJXqEa6PftHqu5h/s1600/AMErica+2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ZSxO3UXLlbhyphenhyphenHW1k-skUeSOjfR_CNzX0K0Qu7c2cSPoOOtrz1dPafmY3RXslaP5BJjwF0RdlQgQ54tpJ_ndoFvG_lCcJbXN_2R9JeItIsEtUOLuXkvwqe4XZw5SizdJXqEa6PftHqu5h/s1600/AMErica+2.gif" /></a></div>
<i>So anyway...</i><br />
<br />
We have entered full on election season. The nasty attack ads are out, as well as the claws of those on the right AND on the left.<br />
<br />
Today, there has been a BIG push to get registered to vote. This is awesome! Not only are there paper forms, you can also do it online (with a touchscreen device), and you can now do it on Snapchat!<br />
<br />
Really, it couldn't be easier.<br />
<br />
Now, if you are choosing to pass it up because you don't want to get picked for jury duty, just know that your name is already in the barrel when you get a driver's license, state ID, or even own property such as land. Not using your voice to try to make a difference just so you don't have to MAYBE get called for jury duty is actually a very pompous thing to do.<br />
<br />
So everyone who will be 18 by election day should take this moment to get registered!<br />
<br />
Now that this is covered, I want to address the lady voters.<br />
<br />
*****<br />
<br />
Hi, fella Lady Voters!<br />
<br />
Are you registered to vote? I sure hope so. Because I want you to to join me in a revolution!<br />
<br />
Now, as in many revolutions, there is background to this. So let's get some women's herstory going on so you can find out what we can do.<br />
<br />
Back in Victorian times, there was the push to get women votes. In the suffrage movement, there was a rise of suffragettes who fought for their right to vote! Literally fought!<br />
<br />
Women were beaten, spat upon, and arrested during their protests to get a vote.<br />
<br />
The suffragettes across the pond used the colors of purple, green & white to make their statement. Banners, sashes, signs - all promoting getting the right to vote.<br />
<br />
The American suffragettes had much of the same statement, but they used yellow/gold with purple & white. The main color tended to be yellow. And this brings me to the revolution.<br />
<br />
There is a large push for getting more registered voters. It appears there were 60 million eligible citizens that did not register for the last election. For so long you could only have paper copies of the registration form. I mean, you could find it online, but you could only print it out, fill it out & either mail it in or take it to the public library or election office on your own. Since then, you can now register online as long as you are using a touchscreen device (so you can write your signature). As of this week, you can now register to vote on Snapchat! It's that easy!<br />
<br />
Once you have done that, here's the plan, ladies:<br />
<br />
Find & wear a yellow sash. Thick yellow ribbon that proves the point that you are a registered American voter who happens to be female.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
I kind of pointed it out in <b><i><u><a href="http://am-ericasezso.blogspot.com/2016/08/americas-suffragette-revival-revolution.html" target="_blank">my previous blog post about voting</a></u></i></b>. But I'm going to bring up some of the ways again.<br />
<br />
1. Go hardcore, old school, Edwardian suffragette! Big Merry Widow hat, maybe with yellow somewhere on there. A maxi skirt or dress that is yellow, or has yellow, and some sensible shoes.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6YMYxmg2_EG9FhewsGrJPNz6kus4CZ6dtlkBpSuXz05fSofYY-duIG5dEz0D-jlSDc6sAMquGH-JnVLnd4eB_ahQsRJiKJNHVRNsNDi2bbBLpTKqub3AC-BMIMBmJhmLTmYFf8oNDsVSn/s1600/IMG_2907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6YMYxmg2_EG9FhewsGrJPNz6kus4CZ6dtlkBpSuXz05fSofYY-duIG5dEz0D-jlSDc6sAMquGH-JnVLnd4eB_ahQsRJiKJNHVRNsNDi2bbBLpTKqub3AC-BMIMBmJhmLTmYFf8oNDsVSn/s640/IMG_2907.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<br />
<br />
B. Even though women had already gotten the right to vote, we had to prove our worth more when having to step up in the work force during WWII. Rosie the Riveter is the mascot for these women, and tended to be in a red scarf. I propose showing the same strength in outfitting, just in yellow!<br />
<br />
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</div>
<br />
III. Dress as a 20's flapper in a lot of yellow. A drop-waist dress, so t-strap Mary Jane shoes and a yellow cloche hat. Especially since it was 1920 when we got the right to vote!<br />
<br />
𝚫. Not ALL females could vote in the 20's - as a matter of fact, not EVERYONE could vote by then. It wasn't until the 60's until our colored brothers & sisters could vote. Remember the Selma march - and dress in yellow along those kinds of lines.<br />
<br />
If nothing else, dress in yellow. Wear the sash.<br />
<br />
Now, on the sash, you can add letters in purple to say "<span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;"><b>Votes for Women</b></span>" or even "<span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple; font-weight: bold;">I Vote</span>"/"<span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;"><b>iVote</b></span>"; maybe "<span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;"><b>Female Voter</b></span>" or something like "<span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;"><b>Voted</b></span>." You can even put "<span style="background-color: yellow; color: purple;"><b>Yellow Sash Revolution</b></span>."<br />
<br />
When you go vote, on voting day or as absentee, be sure to get a selfie of sorts with your voting sticker, maybe even in front of the voting sign.<br />
<br />
~ Do NOT include your ballot!<br />
<br />
~ Do NOT get your selfie IN the polling place!<br />
<br />
~ Do NOT show others entering or exiting the polling place!<br />
<br />
Be smart about your photo, include tagging it with <b>#YellowSashRevolution</b> on social media, and let's get the women back into the suffragette spirit of meaning business when we use our right, privilege & voice to vote!<br />
<br />
So, who's in? Share the info, and let's get word out to our sister suffragettes!<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
Remember, it doesn't matter what party you vote for or are a part of, as long as we make it a Woman Suffragette Party on Super Tuesday!<br />
<br />
Let's make a difference, let's make a mark!<br />
GO VOTE! REGISTER TODAY!<br />
<br />
<i>Stay tuned...</i><br />
<br />
<b>God Bless, <i>AM~Erica</i></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429623157764566539.post-8956020440781004232016-08-23T15:56:00.001-05:002016-08-24T08:23:54.187-05:00AM~Erica's Confidence Collision<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>So anyway...</i><br />
<br />
I'm a dancer.<br />
<br />
I've danced nearly my entire life. I don't even remember when I wanted to become a dancer - but it was early enough that I don't remember, it just was. I've heard I picked my own CB handle when I was a wee tot. I was to be called "Dancing Girl" over the airwaves. This was before I began dancing. I was maybe all of 2 or 3 when that happened.<br />
<br />
I began dancing at the age of 4. And I haven't stopped since.<br />
<br />
I dance everywhere!<br />
<br />
I dance in the car.<br />
I dance in the kitchen.<br />
I dance at the table.<br />
I dance in the stores.<br />
I dance when there's music.<br />
I dance when there's no music.<br />
<br />
But, with all of my background in taking & teaching dance, it's kind of become part of my own personal ministry.<br />
<br />
I actually wanted to have my own dance studio. The very day I went to look at a space to rent, I got home to have my hubby tell me we had enough in place to buy a house. Both dreams laid out at once, but only one could happen - so we bought a house. And my studio dreams had to be put on hold for this moment.<br />
<br />
I do believe God led me to dance so I could use my given gifts to turn it around to use for worship & praise. So I started doing liturgical dance many moons ago.<br />
<br />
Slowly I have been working on my craft of storytelling. And, in this, using dance as storytelling - brining a song to life! Making each word &/or phrase into movement so it can be seen. Almost like sign language, but with the entire body instead of just hands & arms, and using the entire front of, or even the whole of, the sanctuary to fill the space with movement & story.<br />
<br />
That's what I do. Instead of having a dance studio, <b><i><u><a href="http://am-ericasezso.blogspot.com/2013/04/america-believes-if-they-can-dance.html" target="_blank">I have a dance ministry</a></u></i></b>!<br />
<br />
I do want my dance friends to know that disappointment may come my direction when you know I've lost much of my terminology. I'm SO sorry! Please don't disown me. But I've been showing others how to move to tell a story, but using laymen's terms to help guide them. No matter, I'm trying to get people to move in story & praise, yo!<br />
<br />
I love what I do, and I love when a story comes together - there's times it's even better than I originally pictured it in my head.<br />
Right before I tell my story, as any presenter/performer should do, I get a bit nervous. How will the people react? Will they understand what I do? Will they grasp the story I'm wanting to tell?<br />
<br />
I pray that The Word is received as I tell it, and I go do my thing.<br />
Every time, I try to put my all into it. Where my eyes look, what my face says, where my hand placement is, where my foot is placed...everything. I do it to get the word across, I do it in praise, I do it in worship, I do it to bring a new facet to how The Word can be received.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Much like <a href="http://am-ericasezso.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html" target="_blank"><b><i>speaking of my mental illness</i></b></a>, I do not do it for attention. If folks enjoy it, and, even better, understand it - then awesome! If not, that's fine.<br />
<br />
Here's where it gets weird for me:<br />
Once I get a dance together, I want to be confident in my storytelling; I go out and do it with confidence! It's part of my passion, so I love doing it! But there's that stupid little voice in the back of my brain that makes me question.<br />
<br />
I have been in churches with so much talent! Some with bigger pools of talent & backgrounds than I even feel like I could possibly dip my toe into. How could I be in that same group?<br />
<br />
Because of what I do, even though I continue to challenge myself & others, I actually try to keep my routine formula fairly simple. I repeat a LOT! Why? Why do I do this? When there's competitive groups out there, or if you watch "<b><i>So You Think You Can Dance</i></b>" (that show keeps me inspired), you will see there's a lot of steps that go on during a dance. Really no repeating of anything - just a lot of challenging stuff.<br />
Sometimes, as a storyteller who dances, I see many of the extra moves as "stuff."<br />
I want each step &/or phrase to have a move. When I teach a dance to beginners (no matter the age), I want them to feel accomplished & like they know what is coming next. Once I come up with moves for the song's chorus, about a third of the dance is already done! BOOM!<br />
<br />
But there's something else that comes with that:<br />
When there's those who are experiencing this for the first time, or who take a while to settle into this style, they start to understand the story.<br />
<br />
Now, here's where my confidence collides with my self-doubt:<br />
Because I don't want attention from my storytelling, I cringe (on the inside) when I have people track me down to tell me they enjoyed it or to thank me. My insides just ball up as I fake a smile to try to say, "<b><i>Thank you</i></b>," back to them. It seems like such a frivolous & token gesture for something I hope had grander meaning. Sometimes I'll throw in the extra tag of, "<b><i>...just doing what I was called to do.</i></b>" Then I give an awkward laugh afterward while I'm nearly crying inside.<br />
I know these folks mean well, but it's not about me. At. All.<br />
<br />
On top of that, I don't know how to handle being approached by those swimming over to me from the deep end of the talent pool. In our current church, we have some in our contemporary band who are professional actors in the Kansas City area. Like, all music-y & stuff, too! They amaze me with what they do, and what they bring. Sometimes, with the simplicity-for-comprehension dances, I wonder if they look at what I'm doing & thinking, "<b><i>Really? This is all she has to offer?</i></b>" I've been in musicals & competitive routines where we are all over the place & doing so many different things. This is the kind of thing these folks make a living around. And here I am, just offering up some moves to tell a story. More than likely in much more simple terms than they are used to.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
So what the heck am I doing?<br />
<br />
My insides curl up in fetal position when any of them come & hug me to tell me they love what I did. I know it's sincere - but that brain of mine can't help but believe it's for show. Much like my smile as I attempt to accept the compliment.<br />
<br />
I don't do this for me. I do it for The Greater. I do it to share The Word in a different way. It's NOT about me!<br />
<br />
But it becomes worth it when I hear that others would now love to join in the storytelling. That's a relief, actually.<br />
<br />
Also, I think one of the most amazing compliments was when a woman approached me after me unveiling my dance ministry to our current church. While my insides are in fetal position, and I'm faking smiles & trying not to be awkward with responses, she told me this:<br />
"<b><i>['My Story'*] was my mother's favorite song. I never understood why. Until today - after watching your dance, I understand now.</i></b>"<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>* "<b>My Story</b>" by Big Daddy Weave includes part of the hymn "<b>This Is My Story</b>"</i></div>
<br />
WOW! It's the comments like that which remind me it's OK to do what I do. It doesn't matter who's watching - if I'm doing it in praise & worship, while bringing The Word to life, then someone just might get it!<br />
<br />
And I really need to remember I'm doing it for an audience of One - everyone else are just spectators.<br />
<br />
But, if you are spectating, just know why I'm awkward later. I'm weird like that.<br />
<br />
<i>Stay tuned...</i><br />
<br />
<b>God Bless, <i>AM~Erica</i></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429623157764566539.post-67271973317435929492016-08-03T12:19:00.000-05:002016-08-03T23:14:40.138-05:00AM~Erica's Suffragette Revival Revolution<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCsDZLAnLEeZEiGsqUn_DZXlz0_t9cbzD73cGQl9eyCNhyQk2AF3AN6-m_p2VVCWdn1ZE11POBDu3gIb1jAOpB-oJaHnGLsYXODpOIzojVtMFferlvFnpFLUJ22uxRRU2WHvS1lsCkguue/s1600/AMErica+2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCsDZLAnLEeZEiGsqUn_DZXlz0_t9cbzD73cGQl9eyCNhyQk2AF3AN6-m_p2VVCWdn1ZE11POBDu3gIb1jAOpB-oJaHnGLsYXODpOIzojVtMFferlvFnpFLUJ22uxRRU2WHvS1lsCkguue/s1600/AMErica+2.gif" /></a></div>
<i><span id="goog_1187189753"></span><span id="goog_1187189754"></span>So anyway...</i><br />
<br />
Not sure if you remember, but it was almost a year ago when <b><i><u><a href="http://am-ericasezso.blogspot.com/2015/08/america-is-rectifying-grave-feminist.html" target="_blank">I REGISTERED TO VOTE</a></u></i></b>. And it feels great being able to walk into my polling place to use my voice on a ballot.<br />
<br />
Jump ahead to June of this year...<br />
Because of some life changes, we bought a house! YAY! Which also meant a move! BOO! But the move is an exciting one for our family. We didn't move far, but it was a move nonetheless.<br />
<br />
One of the biggest pains of moving is the having to change your address on EV-ER-Y-THING! UGH! However, since I started voting again, I was NOT going to let another move prevent me from voting again. One of the earliest things I did was to go change my address on my registration.<br />
<br />
Now the system acted really weird after I did it, so I went to do it again just to make sure. I was told that my info had already been changed. So, I left it.<br />
<br />
With all of the annoying & intrusive election ads (the attack ads included), I was researching the candidates for this primary to see which color koolaid ballot I would vote on (UGH! I hate being forced into a koolaid avenue!) along with the local questions.<br />
<br />
Eventually a couple of voter registration reminder cards came in the mail. However, they were for the previous residents. Hmmmm...<br />
<br />
I did the right thing & sent those cards back to the election board, but then I got concerned about my own registration. In, Missouri, as long as you are registered by the 4th Wednesday before the next election, you should be fine. I gave plenty of time!<br />
<br />
Finally, since I heard NOTHING, I looked up my registration. To my great disappointment, my registration didn't get changed as originally thought. Grrrrr....<br />
<br />
I tried my registration again, even though it took this time, I was very frustrated. I should be able to vote at MY polling place, in MY community. Even if it's a new place, I want to step up & make a difference where I'm getting settled. So I knew I would probably have to fight for my vote.<br />
<br />
As I put out some feelers, in my angst, I was reminded of provisional ballots. I looked into it for Missouri, and check the definition & rights. I was hoping that this would be a last resort, because I wanted my vote counted!<br />
<br />
So I began to devise a plan: I thought back to nearly a year ago when I paid homage to suffragettes who fought so hard for women to be able to vote. Remember when I went digging into my costumes & hats to recreate an Edwardian suffragette to celebrate the women's vote?<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiH50oQoYseU6QM9uwkCxrcmOEu5qyFjpJRXgH37cGuSPJZDVWGUtd2xVQHs5uH9Ku-QUP8s9Wv2kHqvETI0hwoK6dPhuq1t05vpwXbYH1UIsEFnmbVOq7wKQzYqIJHoffghjFK0RL4vZ-/s1600/Suffragette_8-26-2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="592" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiH50oQoYseU6QM9uwkCxrcmOEu5qyFjpJRXgH37cGuSPJZDVWGUtd2xVQHs5uH9Ku-QUP8s9Wv2kHqvETI0hwoK6dPhuq1t05vpwXbYH1UIsEFnmbVOq7wKQzYqIJHoffghjFK0RL4vZ-/s640/Suffragette_8-26-2015.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Well, that look really appears to mean business. So I wanted to use that bit of history...or HERstory...to make it known that I planned to vote.<br />
<br />
I went digging, went matching, tried pairing different combos together until I found what I thought would work, and then I prepared myself for my own personal march.<br />
<br />
Just to show I was serious, I put selfie of it on social media to tell folks I was on may way to try to vote.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilTG19v6jD2CmQc5UASI4Sgk-g8GEiTKDJ6TXQpDmlNFbE0Quy8y8nvWLt_-abgCacg37n5KkvF447CF4zrYeI0-4-2ruZFf7qwrjGp3zExHScFMXOdTwunuUX3pPU3CRb3Kw0Q1iQmmXX/s1600/IMG_2602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilTG19v6jD2CmQc5UASI4Sgk-g8GEiTKDJ6TXQpDmlNFbE0Quy8y8nvWLt_-abgCacg37n5KkvF447CF4zrYeI0-4-2ruZFf7qwrjGp3zExHScFMXOdTwunuUX3pPU3CRb3Kw0Q1iQmmXX/s400/IMG_2602.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Then, I took a deep breath, grabbed some info I thought I might need, went with a plan in mind, and nervously headed over to my polling place.<br />
<br />
I'm going to be honest, I was incredibly nervous. I watched people sauntering in & out of the space. Here I was, dressed like it was 1914, a plan together, but didn't know how it would all turn out. After a few minutes of some deep breaths & pulling my confidence together, I marched in with a purpose.<br />
<br />
After getting a few odd looks & some compliments on my hat, I went in & pleaded my case firmly. I let them know my registration didn't appear to take when I did it in June, but I'm in the system & should be OK to vote, I gave my photo ID along with a utility bill to prove residence. The gentleman who was helping me didn't really question - he just took my info, got onto his computer to make some changes, filled out a form with some extra info, then handed me my stuff to be able to move on through to vote!<br />
I signed in, got my ballot demo, then had to choose my koolaid ballot (UGH!); I then took my ballot into the voting station & made my informed choices - even on a stupid koolaid ballot. I answered my community's questions to be voted on, too. I walked over, inserted my completed ballot into the machine to be counted, then got my sticker! (It's what we're there for anyway, right?)<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4pDnTuQwRss-N1yPavg0HT8ZZDB7UpRZUzzEx0weOVIRdZ2QdNgWRSN6u93iKPFOQ4Ma7w49f_yowZ686F4LpDwW72aOzYtVulqLEnqiskEEl6dAceJZiAEKfiQopu01IEjl09-Rx-7NA/s1600/Suffragette_8-2-2016_vote.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="582" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4pDnTuQwRss-N1yPavg0HT8ZZDB7UpRZUzzEx0weOVIRdZ2QdNgWRSN6u93iKPFOQ4Ma7w49f_yowZ686F4LpDwW72aOzYtVulqLEnqiskEEl6dAceJZiAEKfiQopu01IEjl09-Rx-7NA/s640/Suffragette_8-2-2016_vote.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
You know what? This experience really got me thinking.<br />
(I know, I know...scary, right?)<br />
I am very tempted to dress this way for every election. Or something very strong in this sense. And I thought about how awesome it would be to revive history...or HERstory...by having as many women dress in some way to remind people of what the suffragettes before us paved the way for! Wouldn't that be amazing? So I had some thoughts:<br />
<br />
1. Dress as an Edwardian-era suffragette.<br />
Wear a maxi skirt/dress, a button up blouse of sorts, comfortable-yet-stylish shoes, a large & embellished hat &/or updo, and a long vest, jacket or cardigan. Add in something masculine like a tie, cuffs or vest. Wear brooches or pins with American flags, promoting votes for women, or for a statement of feminism. Maybe even a voting sash just for some extra visuals.<br />
<br />
2. Think Rosie the Riveter.<br />
Go in wearing overalls or a denim/chambray shirt. Add in some yellow. Wear a yellow or gold head scarf or bandana. Why yellow or gold instead of red? Stick with me, I'll explain. But WE CAN DO IT!<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZueoJWFMUPJnc1-c1zYOO5ky1UXZ86Huf-llOABDU7gJca688DdnJq3RJoHUORx8_meVOv0PV4nxbxnZJhmF4wZuF0FZFu6fxFQUEjqNzei6xE3zfHckCjJ0Wbd4bqcbOfZ-SmDCTk0V/s1600/Rosie_Riveter_YellowAnimate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZueoJWFMUPJnc1-c1zYOO5ky1UXZ86Huf-llOABDU7gJca688DdnJq3RJoHUORx8_meVOv0PV4nxbxnZJhmF4wZuF0FZFu6fxFQUEjqNzei6xE3zfHckCjJ0Wbd4bqcbOfZ-SmDCTk0V/s320/Rosie_Riveter_YellowAnimate.jpg" width="302" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
3. Wear yellow &/or gold.<br />
The color of yellow (or gold) was the main color of the American suffragette movement, along with white & purple - but definitely the yellow! Combine the color with the above statements, or just punch your ballot wearing yellow.<br />
<br />
4. Remember the voting rights of our black sisters.<br />
This is where I'd tell you to dress within the 60's & 70's thinking of the power of the Selma march. Wear yellow in that fashion.<br />
<br />
My fella-femmes, we cannot put off registering to vote, or even ignoring a vote. We cannot let our women who fought for this down. We need to remind people as to why we can vote! All women who are our American citizens. Through any era where we got to step up to the voting booth.<br />
<br />
<br />
Watch or rewatch "<b><i>Suffragette</i></b>" & "<b><i>Selma</i></b>" as reminders. And let us not forget that the idea of any of us voting started somewhere & built from there! It was a hard-fought path, but we are here.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_Mf8spKcLMamJJbqpooDr566ndzkKIOGUhJr-Nz4M6toTQ0p-FjGddVHIDlLF5vLLJJCI3nJpDUb52uw22U_8PV_r6k45EkOx2-N0IdB7VQmjFgGxbA_Fos0XfbfDuYJ8BI4y8TrPr0s/s1600/Grateful_WomenWhoFought.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_Mf8spKcLMamJJbqpooDr566ndzkKIOGUhJr-Nz4M6toTQ0p-FjGddVHIDlLF5vLLJJCI3nJpDUb52uw22U_8PV_r6k45EkOx2-N0IdB7VQmjFgGxbA_Fos0XfbfDuYJ8BI4y8TrPr0s/s400/Grateful_WomenWhoFought.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Now then, it brings me to something else -<br />
I encourage women to be informed voters. Not blind koolaid drinking, not blindly following how our husband votes or how our parents vote...but this is about how YOU vote - how WE vote! We don't necessarily have to sing in unison, but use our voices as a chorus of political harmony. Many of us have different views from another, but we have to be informed in using our part to vote for not just us, but how it effects the future beyond us. It's beyond just making history to see a particular person in office, but instead how they will truly work in the office they run for. Will they do it effectively, and are they truly fit for the office?<br />
<br />
I highly encourage each of us to take those quizzes that test your feelings on different issues against several candidates to see who you match up with. And it's a reminder that there's more than 2 candidates running for president in November. Find out where you fit, don't get mad at those frustrated with the flavor of koolaid they are used to drinking, and get informed - not enamored. This is important as we use our hard-earned votes. Not for celebrity, but for the people.<br />
<br />
Now, go forth, and vote! There's 3 months to make a good & informed decision. If you are not yet registered, get on it! You can do it online! There's no excuse. Let's make a statement in our chorus of women's voices!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Nn8Q-ka5EpbDOjjVgpL3Wow6dN2IiL4nLG8WYtBaZJ7imkVOOOV8kbn7FvryIpaXf4cLt2O_PUmlOgXR_sKLGomtsv9-L1j2rv5hQWjY-5ZGEfVz4YLisH3s7okhUsv_97d_szeF29wd/s1600/1920_Suffragettes_Minneapolis_1stPresVote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Nn8Q-ka5EpbDOjjVgpL3Wow6dN2IiL4nLG8WYtBaZJ7imkVOOOV8kbn7FvryIpaXf4cLt2O_PUmlOgXR_sKLGomtsv9-L1j2rv5hQWjY-5ZGEfVz4YLisH3s7okhUsv_97d_szeF29wd/s640/1920_Suffragettes_Minneapolis_1stPresVote.jpg" width="552" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #666666;">Look at this! A line of women voters, in 1920, for their first presidential election in Minneapolis.</span></i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7wdPHE34WvlT4CdWvKSNdcIfUefskLAqTNphfzacFxg6IQNO_nXfbXWP1Zm7wdbhnkg87HAnQDQxheGmrvExKd_PzwK0GYVBh64BTxSZpD5VTAxT7nWPvmg8gQ7vDcdDdKn7mVTgCHwx/s1600/1965_NewBlackVoters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7wdPHE34WvlT4CdWvKSNdcIfUefskLAqTNphfzacFxg6IQNO_nXfbXWP1Zm7wdbhnkg87HAnQDQxheGmrvExKd_PzwK0GYVBh64BTxSZpD5VTAxT7nWPvmg8gQ7vDcdDdKn7mVTgCHwx/s640/1965_NewBlackVoters.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #666666;">Look at this! First time black men AND women voters in 1965</span></i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSgWYZUpv-S-ow2jKbrp-cyzj5mWIAjQXVKcWi-TvVVC8Ymdm36NAEE3b67XYpBv_ccAleqJ6ZJ-MuWkwnHT2wBNzPdmmEA7kJPhaJB7C3m0-7LKVhxGSX281VQ_XJe4FyHH1HnpMLOsBS/s1600/Suffragette_Sisters_Proud_button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSgWYZUpv-S-ow2jKbrp-cyzj5mWIAjQXVKcWi-TvVVC8Ymdm36NAEE3b67XYpBv_ccAleqJ6ZJ-MuWkwnHT2wBNzPdmmEA7kJPhaJB7C3m0-7LKVhxGSX281VQ_XJe4FyHH1HnpMLOsBS/s320/Suffragette_Sisters_Proud_button.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<i>Stay tuned...</i><br />
<br />
<b>God Bless, <i>AM~Erica</i></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429623157764566539.post-3406406885321212462016-03-25T22:59:00.003-05:002016-03-26T09:04:45.285-05:00You & AM~Erica Need the Passion of Good Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguhyphenhyphenUZKbfCv5LREcmo6zhISj6tIeCEYeHtkszlffLF7xnkOPBFrDTn5EyWSoO6rvlkhFVcCS-hpY72Y2JBhHI3Gmv0chvJfwTFvAZCuPdaB-usRH66vxL8NTHurlcGrq2c0BGDAtA6O77h/s1600/AMErica+2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguhyphenhyphenUZKbfCv5LREcmo6zhISj6tIeCEYeHtkszlffLF7xnkOPBFrDTn5EyWSoO6rvlkhFVcCS-hpY72Y2JBhHI3Gmv0chvJfwTFvAZCuPdaB-usRH66vxL8NTHurlcGrq2c0BGDAtA6O77h/s1600/AMErica+2.gif" /></a></div>
<i>So anyway...</i><br />
<br />
The very day of today, we are told is a "good" day. Because it's Friday. And Friday is good.<br />
<br />
Usually.<br />
<br />
Until we come to Good Friday.<br />
<br />
Such a conundrum.<br />
<br />
We are wrapping up Holy Week. We celebrate Palm Sunday! Jesus' time is coming & he's getting ready to take his place to solidify that He truly is THE Messiah!<br />
<br />
Then, somehow, we want to jump to 7 days later & just celebrate again!<br />
YAY! It's Easter! We get to wear pretty clothes & find eggs! We get chocolate bunnies, gorge ourselves on jelly beans, and maybe go to church...because you're supposed to. Right?<br />
<br />
<b><i>*SCREEEEEEEECH*</i></b><br />
<br />
Hold it. There's so much more!<br />
<br />
Do you ever pick up a book, read the first chapter, maybe one in the middle, just read the last chapter (or the last couple of pages) & call it a day? Do you get the whole story like that?<br />
<br />
How about your favorite TV show you follow. Is there any that go in a progression with each episode with canon that gets included? Those shows! The dramas with building characters & storylines. What if you miss an episode or two?<br />
<br />
My point is this:<br />
You cannot truly get to the end of a season or series by just watching the first episode or two, then picking up at the very end thinking you know everything that happened.<br />
<br />
Holy Week is the same way. Really the Bible is! But I want to focus on Holy Week for the moment. OK?<br />
<br />
So we celebrate the big hoopla, shouting, "Hosanna," waving palms in hopes this Jesus guy is the Messiah who will save & deliver the people! We wave the palm branches at church services, we sing songs about "Hosanna," then we get ready for Easter egg hunts & hope things will be awesome & ready for church services next week...<br />
<br />
...but there's more episodes between Palm Sunday & Easter Sunday...<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghDGAbrwTullsuYpwm7JDK5r3hTnrjcT1v5j8SWVzcJsL15oKvX7O7P3AxIhG3kSgFsRGtiJiK4Gmo4iiq4eNRuK4JDlKpcp0YzRgvLHbijSsh07cIHK8_lFRSLpsLGuoKFyFowzW-tlhd/s1600/LastSupper_daVinci.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghDGAbrwTullsuYpwm7JDK5r3hTnrjcT1v5j8SWVzcJsL15oKvX7O7P3AxIhG3kSgFsRGtiJiK4Gmo4iiq4eNRuK4JDlKpcp0YzRgvLHbijSsh07cIHK8_lFRSLpsLGuoKFyFowzW-tlhd/s640/LastSupper_daVinci.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The Last Supper is more than just a Renaissance painting by da Vinci. There's an actual story to it. And it's not as pretty as the painting makes it, even though it's based on the moment Jesus announces one of them will betray Him. Because there's more! He had a Passover meal with His 12 closest friends. His heart was heavy knowing what was probably coming. He knew about being betrayed by one of his 12 friends. He broke bread with them. He drank wine with them. He changed their perception about said bread & wine. He washed their feet. That's right: the Master did the unthinkable & washed the feet of His followers.<br />
<br />
After Judas left in haste, in hopes of forcing the issue of his friend rising up as the Messiah would do in HIS mind, the feast winds down...and the uncomfortable, yet important story-building episodes are yet to come.<br />
<br />
For the Last Supper was only Thursday. An important Thursday, but it's Friday that Jesus told his friends about when he broke the bread & shared the wine with them. It was foreshadowing to a later episode in the story...<br />
<br />
It's usually this part of the story where many choose to just talk about a couple of things, or skip it all together. This part is too difficult to face. This part is too much, too graphic, to uncomfortable to face...<br />
<br />
Just a few days ago, our television screen was tuned into the daring "<b><i>The Passion: Live</i></b>" broadcast. Tyler Perry had gathered several talents to bring the Word to life, and to keep it relevant. There were pre-recorded segments, there were songs performed live, there was a choir in a colosseum-style theatrical set up, there was an orchestra, and there was Tyler Perry telling the story, live, to thousands. There was even a pilgrimage journey carrying a large, lit cross through the streets of New Orleans as the broadcast was going. As the cross traveled, each shot showed more followers walking with it.<br />
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The use of secular music to tell the ages-old story was done very well, in my opinion. The acting was done so well, too! I didn't know what to expect, and kept my expectations tempered to very low. But as the songs were used, and the talent was on display in a relevant story...I got chills...then I found myself sobbing at times. It was a very creative way to bring the story to life again.<br />
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However...the broadcast did exactly what many others do. The sort of talked about the ugliness of the Passion portion of the story. Everything was so built up! The crowd called for the release of Barabbas, live on TV! And then there was a Cliff's Notes-type synopsis of the crucifixion. Then it was time to party again - because resurrection & Easter, yo! Gotta skip the hard part! People don't wanna know about the beating & the excruciating pain of the crucifixion!<br />
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<i>*side note: The word "Excruciating" came from the description of the horrible pain of dying by crucifixion. The more you know.</i><br />
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All of a sudden, the broadcast actually lost steam. There could have been an extra 30 minutes, even, to cover (somehow creatively), the darkness of all of Friday. I even said that the lit cross, that had just made its way into the theatrical setting, could have been turned dark at the climax of the death. It would have been better than a commercial break & only quick explanation of the crucifixion by Tyler Perry, as if he had to work in a lecture of all of Friday in 5 minutes. SOMETHING could have been done!<br />
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But I digress...because Friday was crucial to get to the crucifixion!<br />
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In a time, when there is so much desensitization, how is it there's so much blood, so much dying, so much violence on TV & in movies that are out in the open for kids to see, even? The video games & videos that contain this stuff is just out there. There's true stories told, as well as "(loosely) based on true stories," where there's quite a bit of violent occurrences that general audiences don't to seem to mind right in front of them. However, something happens with the story about Jesus' final hours on Earth.<br />
The flogging, the beating, the journey carrying the cross, the crucifixion...this doesn't seem to be covered too often, or even talked about.<br />
It was bloody, gory, and yet we want to look the other way.<br />
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Why is that? Why is it that these other stories can be told, but THIS story gets glazed over somehow?<br />
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Not that Mel Gibson has done amazing things in the passed few years, but his telling of "<b><i>The Passion of the Christ</i></b>" is so hard to watch. The pain, the suffering, the blood, the beating, the violence, the gore...but it's probably the truest-to-form in the telling of the Passion story.<br />
And it was rated 'R'. Yet kids can play these games where they shoot people, blood & guts flying...but they aren't allowed to watch what Jesus did for them.<br />
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Don't get me wrong, we haven't shown our kids. When it came out, we did feel they were too young at the time. But we aren't big on the shoot-em-up games, movies & shows. But we will talk about the suffering Jesus went through. And we bring up this movie.<br />
And our kids will watch it soon. Because it's necessary. It will be harsh, uncomfortable, difficult to witness, but they need to know. And I need to be reminded.<br />
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Tonight, though we don't show the hardcore suffering of the Passion Jesus went through, our church does a good job of letting people know how much Jesus went through for each of us...even me.<br />
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However, I was challenged, 4 years ago, by my hubby to put together a readers theater, of sorts, covering the 14 stations of the cross. This is basically 14 of the final moments of Jesus' life following through the crucifixion and burial. There's some readings that are responsive, and there is a Catholic version that is usually used. However, I found some scripture passages used for a Protestant responsive reading (I believe, if memory serves me correctly). So I took these scriptures & built a readers theater script around it. There's a narrator, Jesus, Judas, chief high priest of the Sanhedrin, the trial, Pilate, the crowd yelling for the release of Barabbas & to crucify Jesus, and the criminals crucified with Jesus.<br />
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I've had a great group of readers all 5 years of doing the reading (this was the 5th year), and I've always done well getting through all of the reading, even the crowd yelling, every time...until tonight. Something about the crowd yelling for Jesus to be crucified was hard for me to get through. I almost didn't make it through my next line. I had to work very hard to hold myself together after the chilling thought of the crowd aggressively YELLING for Jesus to be crucified.<br />
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I still can't wrap my head around that. Jesus, an innocent man, being crucified for false sins. But he did so knowing each mark on his body, from the scratches of the thorns of the crown on His head, to the stripes from the flogging, all the way to the nails through His hands & feet, the insults & verbal abuse...each of these marking the sins of every single one of us. We all caused a mark on the body of a perfect man...one who willingly took those marks all the way to the cross, and let all of the weight of sin of humankind, to allow it all to die there.<br />
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I left at least one of those deep marks. So did you. We all did. Our imperfect selves, wether we want to accept it or not, left a deep gash on the Lamb of God - God's own Son. We punished God, come to us as our own, just so He could take all of our mistakes that separate us from God.<br />
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Why? Why would He go through all of this? The insults? The beatings? The verbal abuse? The excruciating death?<br />
Love. That's why. Love for you. Love for me.<br />
LOVE! Unconditionally!<br />
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That's a lot to take in, folks. It's so hard to fathom anyone wanting to make that sacrifice. We say we would do it for our family or our friends...but for EVERYONE? Yes! Even for those who don't want to accept it. For them, too. And that "them" might include YOU!<br />
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Now, I hope churches, people & productions stop skipping over this important part - no matter how difficult it is. I just wonder if people don't know how to handle their part in Jesus' suffering, but we know something most didn't at that time: we know that Sunday's comin'! There's new life to celebrate! But it came at a great price. We cannot just make it the Cliff's Notes type of synopsis in Holy Week. If we are gonna face Palm Sunday, we'd better be prepared to brace for the confusion of Maundy Thursday as we remember Jesus in the breaking of the bread as His body, and consume the wine as His blood becoming a part of us. Because it foretells of the what we put Jesus through & why we ask for His grace to fall upon us.<br />
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As horrible as the suffering was for Jesus...the "good" part of this Friday is that He took all of that for us...all the way to the cross to allow it to die there. We just have to turn to Him and accept it. That's it.<br />
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A great deal of grace comes from Good Friday. Proof of that comes on Sunday morning...<br />
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<i>Stay tuned...</i><br />
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<b>God Bless, <i>AM~Erica</i></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429623157764566539.post-44818864709737674482016-02-19T18:18:00.001-06:002016-02-19T19:23:52.380-06:00AM~Erica Sees Signs of Lent<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDCqwLeCvdk3lbvgAfQzjINY0Yc0JQPWwpVDp5XlG4_N9g_bFihH-Ww9h3pe1pAr9LIAyTIrbdwaUfDvxyAzcAiEiS_JYGBZlU0GbJNpjSvl9jLWttUgmfPWZod0udqxnscMTbrb9cREDR/s1600/AMErica+2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDCqwLeCvdk3lbvgAfQzjINY0Yc0JQPWwpVDp5XlG4_N9g_bFihH-Ww9h3pe1pAr9LIAyTIrbdwaUfDvxyAzcAiEiS_JYGBZlU0GbJNpjSvl9jLWttUgmfPWZod0udqxnscMTbrb9cREDR/s1600/AMErica+2.gif" /></a></div>
<i>So anyway...</i><br />
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Mardi Gras is over, and Lent is in full swing.<br />
(some of my reflective Lenten thoughts, <b><i><u><a href="http://am-ericasezso.blogspot.com/search/label/Lent" target="_blank">HERE</a></u></i></b>)<br />
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In this past year, and the year going forward, I made a decision to keep my heart, mind & soul open to what God needs from me.<br />
No, this is not a Lent-specific thing...but certainly a challenging one!<br />
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Many times, Christians will "preach" about being open to God's will...and blah-blah-blah! I find the non-Christians rolling their eyes & giving retort, usually; or just ignoring Christians completely.<br />
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But hear me out, OK?<br />
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I'm a visual-learner, mostly. But I try to keep my senses open to what may be asked of me.<br />
Lately, when I feel my heart being opened to something else, I try to keep my whole being open to the Spirit, and in full-on prayer, to see where I am being guided.<br />
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If you have read some of my blog posts opening up about my struggles with depression & my failed suicide (reminder <b><i><u><a href="http://am-ericasezso.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></u></i></b>, or you can click on that tab <b>^^^</b> up there about "<b><i>My Struggles (Depression & Suicide</i></b>), you will see that I try to stay open in a very scary subject, but try to remain open in what I should do next.<br />
Actually...I have something coming very soon. I'm not ready to share yet. I'm freaking out, but so super stoked to be a part of it! But that will be another time...<br />
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Right now, I want to point out that I don't really ask God for signs. OK...sometimes I do, but I mostly ask for guidance & then stay as open as possible to possible signs of where I should take on next.<br />
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And it scares me! But that's how I know God is leading me. God wouldn't lead me to it if the task were to be easy. So I have to cling onto strength in Jesus & keep God in sight.<br />
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With that said, Lent is usually a time of reflection. I have tried taking on devotionals, reflecting, and then trying to put what I've learned relevantly into my life. And sometimes signs show up!<br />
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Several years ago, I remember getting ready for church on the first Sunday of Lent. As I got around, I walked into the living room, and nearly fell over when I saw what the sun was projecting onto the wall of the parsonage (aka - pastor's house; aka - clergy living quarters) when we were living in St. Louis:<br />
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YES! That's right. It was the sun shining thru the blinds on from the other side of the room!<br />
I obviously had to get picture proof. I don't know if people would have really believed me if I just tried to tell them. I mean, c'mon! We are in the Show Me state. And I had to take my camera (it was just before the times of camera phones, kids) with me to church so I could bring some proof of what I'd found to any doubting Thomases I may have encountered!<br />
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And it really happened on the first Sunday of Lent that year. I'm still blown away by that moment on that morning.<br />
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Now, as I remain steadfast in the sense of being open to what God needs from me (again...not always so easy), I try to stay vigilant of any signs letting me know I'm heading the right direction, or that I need to change direction. Believe me when I say that I have certainly received signs! Even if I didn't ask for them.<br />
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Through the years, I have seen many inspirational photos going around. Some of the more intriguing ones seem to be what is seen in the sky, usually in the clouds. Usually it's forms of angels & things.<br />
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Today, the 2nd Friday of Lent, my hubby & I were on our way home from our weekly trip to the store. We were just talking about different things...and then I saw an amazing cloud right in front of me!<br />
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Pretty amazing! Right? A truly Divine sign in this moment.<br />
And then my hubby commented that it looked like Ash Wednesday clouds...even if it was over a week later than Ash Wednesday. We discussed if it was a sign of Jesus coming back soon. But that is ALWAYS on the table, people! Don't ignore that fact! "Soon" to us is a much different timeframe than "soon" to God!<br />
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We were just shocked over the cloud formation. So much so, I decided to bring up the photo again...but then I noticed something above the clouds in cross formation, and was stunned!<br />
<i>(sorry for sounding like ridiculous click bait)</i><br />
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Do you see that? Do you see the winged clouds in the sky above it? It's like an angel or a dove, but definitely a Divine vision!<br />
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People, just know that God leaves us signs EVERYWHERE! And it's not always in visual form. Be aware. Just as God can take any form necessary to get a message across, God can also leave any God-sized sign for us. We just have to be open enough to figure out if it is as obvious as these clouds, or as small as a song lyric in a much-needed time.<br />
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We are in a time of wilderness, on a journey to seek out Easter. Though it is a solemn & spiritual time, we should enjoy the view along the way.<br />
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<i>Stay tuned...</i><br />
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<b>God Bless, <i>AM~Erica</i></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429623157764566539.post-41853007784268548402016-02-10T14:05:00.000-06:002016-02-29T06:52:35.506-06:00AM~Erica's Beady Talk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>So anyway...</i><br />
<br />
As we begin Lent (my take on the season, <b><i><u><a href="http://am-ericasezso.blogspot.com/search/label/Lent" target="_blank">HERE</a></u></i></b>), we are recovering from a string of celebrating from Super Bowl, Lunar New Year, and Mardi Gras.<br />
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Many will prepare to have ashes spread across their foreheads in preparation as we remove celebratory decor that adorned our surroundings for the past few days, even weeks.<br />
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I surprised my family by pulling out a lot of my Mardi Gras decor and putting it up around the living room & dining room for our own celebration. Hadn't had a chance to do that in the past few years, so I was glad to be able to have some time, and energy (finally), to spruce the place up to look festive.<br />
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But, alas, the party is over, and decor must come down.<br />
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And as I was pulling down the masks & beads, it reminded me of something:<br />
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The beads really stuck with me, especially seeing them all together in a big bunch. I thought about the large number of beads at the AFSP Out of the Darkness Walks.<br />
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I've said it before (from my first walk - <b><i><u><a href="http://am-ericasezso.blogspot.com/2014/10/america-walked-out-of-darkness.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></u></i></b>, and my second walk - <b><i><u><a href="http://am-ericasezso.blogspot.com/2015/09/america-is-1-of-25.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></u></i></b>) that looking at the layout of beads seems to have a very Mardi Gras/Carnival-type look at first glance.<br />
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<br />
These beads you see adorning necks at the Out of the Darkness walks have deep meaning. Each color is representative of someone in your life, as it relates to suicide survivors and the relationship they have with those they lost or with those who struggle (even themselves).<br />
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<br />
<br />
As amazing & beautiful it is to see these colors everywhere, the pain behind them is all-too real.<br />
<br />
On any given Mardi Gras, I have no shame in loading up my neck with the green, purple & gold/yellow colors. I'm completely ridiculous like that. This fact really isn't news.<br />
However, when it comes to the AFSP event aspect, the green stays around my neck. My struggle is painfully real. (check out my list of posts concerning my struggles <b><i><u><a href="http://am-ericasezso.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></u></i></b>)<br />
<br />
Since I know I'm not the only one who struggles, I wear the newest color addition to the spectrum: teal. There's those of you reading this, right now, who I know go through this hurt. Because you've told me. Which is a brave thing to do - to step up & just say something to someone.<br />
I feel weird saying it's a brave thing to do. I say it, however, because I've been told the same thing. And I realize when you tell anyone - whether it's for the first time saying it, or if it's to someone new - it's completely nerve-racking! So it does take some courage to say something. And I'm so proud of you!<br />
<br />
Because so many of us do struggle with surviving our own attempt &/or intense suicidal thoughts, I know I never want anyone else to got through that. So I support the cause. That means I wear a blue strand of beads, too.<br />
<br />
My bead color combo is very different than anyone else's at the walks. There are so many who sport several of the colors, maybe a couple of the same color. The color combinations are nearly as unique as those who wear them around their necks.<br />
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<br />
<br />
**********<br />
<br />
As we enter into Lent, my focus is as different as the sets of beads, between Mardi Gras & AFSP. Though a beautiful time, it is much more solemn. We now enter a journey leading the beauty of Easter, just as the journey each of us who are part of AFSP hope to get to the beauty of no more suicide anywhere.<br />
<br />
Anyway...beads. I was just contemplating the difference in the beads, how much they look alike, yet how different they really are. Just like each one of us - some of us may appear to be from the same mold, but we aren't.<br />
<br />
Many times, we are all actually wandering through our own wilderness looking for Easter.<br />
<br />
Keep going. Sometimes it gets darker before the day breaks. Good Friday was hard & excruciating, but it leads to the beauty of Easter.<br />
<br />
Keep going.<br />
<br />
<i>Stay tuned...</i><br />
<br />
<b>God Bless, <i>AM~Erica</i></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429623157764566539.post-718239531677329052016-02-06T11:21:00.001-06:002016-02-06T15:48:15.186-06:00AM~Erica's Dark Side of Despair: There's Work to be Done<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>So anyway...</i><br />
<br />
Quite some time back I made a decision to be as open & honest as possible about my mental health.<br />
<br />
I hit a hard low, very recently. It had been building, but the depths of despair became unbearable. It was to the point that I knew I had to make good on a promise to find help.<br />
<br />
Luckily I'm blessed with friends who can oddly sense when I'm entering a dark place - even when they are no where near my vicinity.<br />
<br />
I hit a major low. It had, apparently, been slowly building...apparently. I just know I had a new symptom kick in that I am not used to: sensory overload. I have not been handling it well, and it has been affecting my actions & reactions. Irritability, snap reactions, all the sound being too loud & garbled at a level 12 through the air, people (yes, even my family) are just too close in my bubble, everything is making me feel claustrophobic - like I'm slowly melting & collapsing on the inside, as well as not handling the ebb & flow of an ever-changing schedules well. Yeah - that. It was leading to empty despair that I was getting lost in. A deep, dark abyss was swallowing me up - I was drowning on dry land.<br />
<br />
My hubby wanted to bring it up, but didn't want to scare me & possibly bring me down any more. I have a very dear friend who messaged me to see if I was OK.<br />
<br />
As I am training for a big race coming up, I am needing to get some hard running in. I had a plan of how I would work in a couple miles of hills, not too long ago:<br />
My hubby headed back to work from his usual extended lunch at home, so I had some time to perfectly work in the time needed to get the hill work in before the hustle & bustle of getting the kiddos picked up was to commence. I was coming onto AND on my first big hill when my phone was vibrating like crazy on my arm. I knew I needed to cut the run short, knowing I at least got one hill in. As I looked at my phone, I realized my hubby AND daughter had been trying to call me! I called my daughter back first, and she exclaimed, "<b><i>Oh! thank God! You're alive!</i></b>" I was very confused by that, and really wrote it off as usual over dramatics. She told me she was done with work...and hour & a half early! Without getting to get rehydrated, proteined or changed, I had to take my semi-sweaty self, still in full layered running gear, to pick her up. I was NOT happy for the shake up.<br />
<br />
I usually tell someone when I go on a run, but I was just going to be gone a short time. I didn't have to start getting kids for at least an hour, plenty of time to get my run in...and didn't figure my hubby would be calling since he JUST left the house with some meetings to prep for. So, I was just going to work it in...<br />
<br />
Come to find out, I had been exhibiting an upswing in my odd symptoms, and when neither by hubby NOR my daughter could get a hold of me, they truly thought I'd taken drastic measures with my life.<br />
<br />
**********<br />
<br />
When my friend flagged me down (one who lives NO WHERE near me), she said she was worried about me. She gave me the number to NAMI so I'd have it right in front of me so I could call & get help. Because I already knew I was probably at that point to make good on a promise that I would try to see someone if I started to become consumed by the abyss.<br />
<br />
I got myself together, called NAMI, and a guy very quickly asked where I lived, then gave me a number for a very close by place to call, and that was it. So, I took another deep, and labored breath to call the place. Since I'd never been before, I actually had to leave a message in hopes someone would call back with help.<br />
<br />
In the meantime of the wait, I broke it to my hubby that I had called to find help. That's when he said he was glad, and started breaking down all of the signs I had been showing for longer than I'd realized. And here we were, at my lowest point in a very long time.<br />
<br />
I sat nervously wondering if I'd get a call back from the ONE place I was given a number for. All of my energy was put into those two phone calls: NAMI & place NAMI gave me the number to...<br />
<br />
In my estimated guess (because I was in a slump of time in this moment), it took anywhere from 3-4 hours to get a call back. My thought process, in this time, was feeling forgotten by a place you were told could help me. My thoughts were going to dangerous places. If I couldn't get help, and if I couldn't deal with everything going on around me, and if I was truly frightening my family with my apparently-obvious burden...well...<br />
<br />
...however, when they finally called, I had a release. I told them my despair & why I needed to see someone. I let them know I was given their number by NAMI, who's number I was given by an important friend. I let them know what I was going through, and that, yes, I had thoughts of taking my life...but I wouldn't. My safety net is that the means my brain goes to for using isn't allowed in the house; I don't have the energy to seek it out, either.<br />
I was put on hold to see what they could do for me...<br />
Then I was told they didn't have much room for me, that they really only help the uninsured & those in financial need, and, "<b><i>...here's some numbers for you to try. But if you can't get to them, please call us back. Make sure you have the crisis line close by incase things escalate for you. And take care of yourself.</i></b>" I was told this after hearing what I was going through AND acknowledging the tearful despair in my voice!<br />
<br />
I took down the numbers, but here's a basic rundown of options I was given, even in the state I was in:<br />
<br />
<i>~ Call you insurance & maybe they can give you some numbers of doctors in your network</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>~ Here's numbers to two different psychiatrists if your insurance covers them</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>~ Write down the crisis line to have handy if you think you will truly hurt yourself</i><br />
<br />
You know what? It took every fiber of my being just to call this place. After two phone calls & waiting for the second to maybe call back...I was spent.<br />
<br />
I looked at my list of numbers, and I knew I physically & mentally didn't have it in me to call any of them. My despair became even greater...<br />
<br />
My hubby just kind of stood idly by. Not because he didn't care, but he was shocked by the despair & the lack of help this place was willing to give me. He reminded me of a counselor who comes highly recommended, and someone I have met before. He gave me the number (of course), but I wanted to be able to just quietly research each of these names I was given...<br />
<br />
I couldn't get any reviews of names I was given, and the list on my insurance was too great to try to get through or to make heads or tails of to even know where to begin.<br />
<br />
So I looked up the counselor, and this one didn't take my insurance, but had a list of questions I SHOULD CALL MY INSURANCE ABOUT BEFORE MAKING AN APPOINTMENT!!<br />
<br />
At this point, when someone is so low in despair & pain, one should NEVER have to deal with this kind of runaround. Ever. Because, if I'd had the means necessary, that would have been my problem solver rather than having to make even one more phone call...even to the crisis line.<br />
<br />
**********<br />
<br />
Here's something I need you to understand about me:<br />
I thought I had my depression under control enough that I could shake it when needed. I knew what to do & mostly how to deal with it. I was NOT prepared for a new symptom to kick in. I didn't know how to deal with it. At all.<br />
<br />
I haven't seen a doctor about any of this for a VERY long time! Why? I had this in the bag! Was I cured? Nope. Just figured I had a good enough handle on it.<br />
<br />
I was wrong.<br />
<br />
As I advocate for people to go see someone when they need to, and I am such an advocate for mental health & suicide prevention, nothing truly prepared me for this shake up.<br />
<br />
This is where I'd been oblivious & selfish. I thought I had a grip on all of this. Not in a pompous way, just really thought I didn't need to see someone at this point. I didn't need medication & I could get a handled on my down times.<br />
<br />
So now I need someone. And someone who needs help so badly can't get the help they need in that moment...<br />
<br />
Imagine someone who's never been through this before:<br />
They get to a point of needing to call someone, and they get just enough energy to do so. But it turns out they have insurance & make too much money to get to the one place they were told to call. They have no idea they shouldn't have a means to take their life, but they can't deal with calling another number, even the crisis line they are told to keep handy, along with 3-5 other phone numbers. There's not energy to call anyone else; there's no energy to call yet another number...so they do all they can think to do to get rid of the pain since no one is taking time to help them get better...<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
We are in amazing times right now, people! Right now, mental health awareness is at an all time high! The stigma is lowered, but not gone. So, we are in a time when healthcare is supposed to be great for all of us & taking care of all of us, especially with mental health...<br />
...but it's not. The system is continually failing those in need. When someone is in desperate need of help, the last thing that should be happening is to be given the runaround & told they need to go elsewhere with a list of numbers they cannot make sense of, or energy to call.<br />
<br />
We wonder why we lost yet another wonderful soul to the devastating abyss of the fatal outcome of suicide because no one was willing to help them in the mental illness state of their health.<br />
<br />
This is deplorable.<br />
<br />
People can't get meds when they need them, people can't get in to see someone when they are in desperate need of someone professional to get them back on track. So, when they can't get the help they need WHILE in their time of need...we are about to lose someone else.<br />
If a place is supposed to be there to help, is willing to listen why they need help, but won't help them, it's like a diving instructor helping someone dive off the diving board into an empty pool.<br />
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<br />
Those of us who do suffer with a mental illness are still expected to live our lives.<br />
<br />
These illnesses do not discriminate. They don't care your gender, your color, your height, your financial situation, your living situation, who you love, your relationship status, your age, your religion or beliefs, your nationality (background)...and it certainly doesn't care what you've got going on or what your plans are. It will strike when it wants to.<br />
<br />
I have a summons for jury duty. And, right now, I cannot get a medical release for my state of being. I have to try to help the system when the system is failing me greatly.<br />
<br />
I am trying to be an advocate for those in my place, right now, as I am battling to stay afloat - even while trying to make plans for greater advocacy.<br />
<br />
**********<br />
<br />
Now then, as part of our overall health, we should have a counselor (at the very least) to be able to see when things aren't going so well. Do this while you are not at a low point. Give yourself time to get to see someone. Because they won't help you get started when you're at your lowest.<br />
<br />
This is a sad truth right now. You want despair? There it is!<br />
<br />
As for me, I'm on a slow upswing...<br />
I'm not back to where I need to be, but wow! I have sure learned a lot about my dark side, as well as the dark side of the system - you know, the ones who are supposed to be stepping up to help those in despair.<br />
<br />
But I'm working on myself right now. I will get to those phone calls when I have the energy to talk to someone about them. Someone new, anyway.<br />
<br />
So let's all get behind each other, know how to handle each other in an actual mentally ill state, and let's get set up with someone professional so that you can have better access when you are in those horribly low times. Because I never want anyone to be passed around while they just need the help of one person.<br />
<br />
<i>Stay tuned...</i><br />
<br />
<b>God Bless, <i>AM~Erica</i></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429623157764566539.post-69768056453619651882016-02-03T21:32:00.002-06:002016-02-03T21:32:13.419-06:00AM~Erica's Dealings With All at Level 12: It's Too Much<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>So anyway...</i><br />
<br />
Believe it or not, I've been working on this blog post for almost 2 months. Stopping & starting with every little distraction around each festive corner.<br />
<br />
I literally scrapped what I'd worked on & decided to start fresh & new. After several days & weeks of not completing a blog post...you can begin to wander.<br />
<br />
Look, I've been struggling. Big time. More than I realized.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxiHSluc5FYg3n5XEJ6PwExs3vHU0DP20tYQFbtAHkAyCnzHPQpJssXSMtaFuyaKEgyX6hrUzDF4wZW4C-KYgfsMb9GIdUiy3j-eutb94AGxXgPRvFsBDB5wsk9YWijrUFwvsPQ_9bOIlF/s1600/IMG_0946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxiHSluc5FYg3n5XEJ6PwExs3vHU0DP20tYQFbtAHkAyCnzHPQpJssXSMtaFuyaKEgyX6hrUzDF4wZW4C-KYgfsMb9GIdUiy3j-eutb94AGxXgPRvFsBDB5wsk9YWijrUFwvsPQ_9bOIlF/s400/IMG_0946.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #666666;">Me today. Not all of my days are full<br />of happiness - this is one of them.</span></i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
My depression has kicked up. But it's different this time.<br />
<br />
Something has kicked up in me, though, that I need to make note of: sensory overload.<br />
<br />
This has thrown me off. This happened to me only once before only a few months ago.<br />
<br />
I had been down one day. Someone brought up heading to a book store. There's a Half Price Books close by, so I thought I'd go over there to see what I could find...however, when I walked in the door, something happened...<br />
...I began to look around, and it became too much to deal with. Too many choices, too many books, too many stuffs. I began to have a near anxiety attack just thinking of having to choose a book from any section - from walking by the featured section & the knick-knacks up front. Just. Too. Much.<br />
I promptly held my breath, spun a 180 on my heel, and bolted out the door! I couldn't take it!<br />
A book store.<br />
A book store was too much for me to deal with.<br />
That seemed ridiculous.<br />
<br />
Now it only happened that once. I don't remember anything to that magnitude ever happening before.<br />
<br />
Until a few days ago:<br />
My hubby & Teen Boy enjoy some back & forth about politics along with world happenings. But deep & nearly debating - loudly. They both know how to project anyway...but each sentence gets a little louder, and then a little louder...<br />
I don't deal well when a "casual" debate strikes up as it is, but it got over-the-top! I actually went & hid in the master bathroom to get away from the seemingly tense air of the discussion. They weren't even arguing - just discussing. But it was too much to deal with. I couldn't do it.<br />
<br />
Then, regularly, we get verbal interwebz. What does that mean? It means at least one of the kiddos has come across something (generally a list of some sort) on the interwebz, and then just launch into reading it ALL to us/me. Often. No prep - just BOOM! Random interwebz list.<br />
<br />
Now then, this can generally happen from Teen Girl as she tries to talk over the ridiculously loud politico discussion happening...while...a video game is going on & someone is probably verbally showing disgust in how it's going - loudly.<br />
<br />
Now then, when does it bubble up? When I'm trying to research something, read something, discover something, create something. I cannot focus on what I would like to, or even need to, because there is SO much other stuff happening. All at once.<br />
<br />
Then, we only have 2 cars. So when the kiddos need to be somewhere or need picked up, it's up to hubby or I to take care of that. When we have at least a good idea of schedules, something always seems to happen that switches things up: a different or shifted lunchtime, a different work schedule, last minute pickup change...<br />
So, when I'm trying to plan to have things done, it doesn't happen. Why? I'm dealing with the schedule changes within the household.<br />
<br />
All of this has been happening at once!<br />
<br />
Hence the ever changing feel & tone of this very blog post that I've worked on, changed, trashed, restarted since the beginning of December.<br />
<br />
Good things have come with the new year. I swear. But at this moment, I'm overwhelmed, irritable, can't deal with being questioned about everything (ever get to the point where you feel like you have to tell the family you have to go to the bathroom or just walk to the kitchen?), micromanaging for what THEY are wanting/needing & forgetting there's others...and only 1 me.<br />
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<b><i>*sigh* </i></b><br />
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I'm running on empty. I can't seem to get footing on some of the things I love being a part of. I'm too busy dealing with everyone else, the schedule changes, the lack of audio courtesy, the being pulled 8 other directions - even last minute.<br />
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Today, I had hoped to get in a bit of a run: hill work. I'm working training for a big race! (more on that another time) So, I waited until my hubby went back to work from an extended lunch time, got myself bundled, stretched, hydrated, and headed out. I wouldn't be getting Lil Guy for about an hour, then off to pick up Teen Boy, then over to get Teen Girl from work. This timing would work. Not a long run, just enough to get in about 3 big hills - and maybe just under 3 miles.<br />
In the midst of one of my big hills, my phone was vibrating like crazy on my arm...they would have to wait. I'm in the midst of focussing! But it kept buzzing - I looked & saw hubby was calling. Looks like I might need to cut things short. I finished that hill & one more that would get me back home. Not even a mile & a half, but realized Teen Girl had been let off an hour & a half early! Now all was thrown off - again. I took my sweaty self over to get her so I could get back to actually rehydrate, then change quickly to get Lil Guy, head straight over to get Teen Boy AND let hubby know I was fine. Angry & frustrated, but fine.<br />
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This has been happening so often!<br />
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When you suffer with a mental illness, it's important to get in "me time."<br />
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Bad thing is, I can't get footing to get any of that done.<br />
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I don't have time for my steampunk stuff lately.<br />
I don't have time to bake too often (I will make sure a King Cake is done for Mardi Gras)!<br />
I don't have much time to play with my new dresses - except for church. There's SOMEWHERE!<br />
I don't have time to work up any dances.<br />
I don't have much time to blog anything (this post should be some proof of that).<br />
I don't have time to enjoy running. It's all about training.<br />
I'm barely getting in celebratory time.<br />
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I'm constantly working around others' schedules. Yes, yes...I'm a mom! I know! But there's a point when I can only give of myself so much.<br />
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If I could go away for a day or two, that would be awesome. But I can't.<br />
There's too much other time being filled with other stuff happening. Not even counting my summons for jury duty soon.<br />
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I'm just trying to keep afloat. I know the crisis line incase I need it. Because I feel like I've been close. I have a jumping reality as I'm trying to deal with this new overwhelment of sensory overload. Trying to figure out if it's something new, or if it's a new onset symptom of my depression.<br />
I don't get anxiety attacks. At least not too often. I can generally explain the few I get. But these last couple coming on with the overwhelming sensory stuff has thrown me, for sure.<br />
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Until then, I need everything coming at me at a level 12 to be toned down to at least a 5. But not sure how or when that will happen. I may need help in dealing with this very loud air. It's tense. I'm not dealing well.<br />
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Hoping putting it down here will keep me in check.<br />
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It's nice to be needed...but at the same time, I don't have much left give...something needs to change.<br />
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Let it be known that I truly love my family! The mental illness I struggle with is just making it difficult to cope.<br />
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I made a promise to a select few that if I was feeling worse, then I would find help. It think the time has come...<br />
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<i>Stay tuned...</i><br />
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<b>God Bless, <i>AM~Erica</i></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429623157764566539.post-62389221466899472832015-11-28T15:16:00.001-06:002015-11-28T15:16:55.075-06:00AM~Erica is Quietly Thankful in Tradition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>So anyway...</i><br />
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A couple of days ago, our family took part in a day that so many other families do on the 4th Thursday of every November: feasting and giving thanks.<br />
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Don't get me wrong, gratitude is regularly given, but this is supposed to be some sort of beautiful culmination with others on THIS day.<br />
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Our day began as it has the past several years. Some background first:<br />
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When we moved back to the KC area after 3 years in St. Louis, it became easier to handle holidays like this one. Why? Because our family was pretty much all in KC. It was good to be home! However, when we returned, it became apparent that gathering at my grandmother's house for brunch (as we had done for so many years, as far back as I can remember) may be difficult. Not only for her, but to get all of us out there, and to make sure food was brought in. So we decided that we would love to host the Thanksgiving brunch at our house. So, like Captain Picard's #1, we made it so.<br />
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My grandmother made about 3 of the years, but got to where she didn't feel comfortable leaving her abode. Those years, we made a point to take her some dessert so someone could be with her.<br />
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Also in the past, we would have big dinners with my in-laws. As time & circumstances scooted around in many different ways & forms, we decided to host the evening meal, too. After my grandmother passed (still missing her dearly), and with some topsy-turvy craziness, we were holding the meal at our house.<br />
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Now then, we still held our brunch with my folks & brother, as we've done for several years now. We cooked up eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits, fried potato hash browns, and cinnamon rolls. With some kitchen renovations going on at my parents' house, we cooked everything. Which was fine by us. We actually keep it simple enough to be able to do so.<br />
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After a really nice visit with my folks, they left to go out to my uncles for the afternoon/evening. This is when we would generally get ready for my in-laws to come that afternoon & evening for the big meal...but this year was different.<br />
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Most of the in-laws had moved over the spring & summer. With some health issues & other circumstances, none of them would be coming to our house. Now then, we did let one of them know they were welcome to come, as my sister-in-law is in town due to life circumstances - so we made sure to let her know she could come over & we would have food.<br />
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As it turned out, she had gone ahead & made plans with a friend she was staying with. Sad she couldn't join us, but it was OK.<br />
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There was so much rain! It just rained, and rained, and rained...<br />
My hubby had gotten a new (to us) smoker from my dad. My hubby was really excited to use it to smoke our turkey AND ham for the evening's feast! With scooting our patio table closer to the smoker to put the umbrella up to protect the smoker a bit, it was a crazy-ingenius way to keep the smoker going.<br />
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Eventually I made most of the other dishes, and my hubby took over the yams & rolls.<br />
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By the time dinnertime rolled around we had a delightful spread:<br />
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First up is the meat. My hubby smoked a beautiful turkey & ham. It was his first time EVER to brine a turkey, and even smoke a turkey. Everything was smokey-delicious & was better than restaurant worthy...in our family's own humble opinion.<br />
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The kiddos voted to have mac and cheese as a side, of course. So I bumped it up to Pirate's Booty brand aged white cheddar shells and cheese, then added a sprinkle of parsley to make it appear fancier. Kids loved it! YAY!<br />
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My hubby took care of the yams. Simple yams with a few marshmallows to be warmed & toasted in the oven.<br />
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I make the cranberry sauce! Homemade stuff around here. It makes me happy when I get to make it.<br />
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(recipe <b><i><u><a href="http://biggirlpantry.blogspot.com/2013/11/easy-holiday-cranberry-sauce.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></u></i></b>)</div>
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When we were originally putting our menu together, we talked to the kiddos about what they might want. Teen Boy, one of our pickier eaters, said that he couldn't imagine the Thanksgiving feast without things like cranberries, stuffing/dressing, and mashed potatoes. No, he doesn't eat any of those things...but he just felt like it wasn't the holiday if missing this sort of montage of dishes.<br />
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With that said, and we obviously chose cranberries, we were deciding whether to do mashed potatoes or stuffing. I brought up doing colcannon as our mashed potatoes. My hubby was thrilled with the thought! So, colcannon is what was decided upon. And it might have been my best batch yet!<br />
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(recipe included <b><i><u><a href="http://biggirlpantry.blogspot.com/2014/03/an-irish-irish-like-feast.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></u></i></b>)</div>
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We knew we needed rolls. I put my hubby in charge of the rolls, and he chose these bread rounds that were about the size of Lil Guy's head!<br />
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We got the feast finished up & placed onto the table as Teen Girl was getting the simple table settings ready.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #666666;">The plated feast</span></i></b></td></tr>
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Shortly after our bellies were satisfied, we realized we forgot something - the green beans! I forgot to steam them! Since this was the case, we decided to save them. As green bean casserole is not the biggest hit around here (I mean...I like it), I try to keep it a healthier option by sautéing mushrooms & onions to add to the steamed green beans, plus toasting some almonds, for a beautiful hericots verts (<i>harrah-co vay</i>) dish.<br />
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After enjoying all of this around the table, Teen Girl brought up wanting to play some Apples to Apples.<br />
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When our family plays this game, wildness generally ensues! Just when you think you've won the judge with your card, there's one that seems to beat yours...OR...everyone has a throwaway card because nothing matches, and the judge has to pick from a selection of nothing that goes with the main card. We laugh until we cry, often. Also, we found the weirdest way to end the game! As we made our way to the last round, and the last person (who just happened to be me in this case), there was a consensus to make the judge pick 3 rounds of selections for the same card just to get rid of cards! It was evilly hilarious, and we may keep this ending to the game for future play.<br />
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Then we moved onto our first night of our 4th annual holiday movie/treat run!<br />
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(<i>some past tradition interminglings</i> <b><i><u><a href="http://am-ericasezso.blogspot.com/search/label/tradition" target="_blank">HERE</a></u></i></b>)</div>
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This year, we drew our numbers right before Thanksgiving. With Teen Boy drawing the ol' #1, we decided to get things rolling with his picks on Thanksgiving night - especially since there's 5 of us picking as we lead up to Christmas.<br />
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I decided to make the fudge. When I made it 3 years ago, it didn't set. We had a fudge butter! Not a bad thing, but it was interesting eating it with a spoon. This time, it totally set up & it was near perfect! YAY!<br />
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<br />
Teen Boy became hesitant about his movie choice. He seemed gravely disappointed that he might have to change his selection when he learned we were going to watch "<b><i><u>A Christmas Carol</u></i></b>" performed just a couple of days prior. (reminder <a href="http://am-ericasezso.blogspot.com/2015/11/america-enjoy-dickens-out-of-evening.html" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">HERE</a> with yet another update) However, I did inform him we could keep it as such, and there was no reason to change.<br />
<br />
See, they are two different tellings of the story! After we watched the movie, we got to discuss the differences, what we liked & what we didn't.<br />
<br />
We saw the movie in the theater when it came out in 2009. We were surprised by how close to the story it seemed, and how not-over-the-top it was for a Jim Carrey movie! It seemed to stay pretty close to the original telling. Some variance, but surprisingly subdued, yet beautiful.<br />
<br />
As we got through with this viewing, especially with the one-man-show storytelling of Gerald Dickens, we discussed what was different, what was the same, what we liked & didn't.<br />
<br />
Then it hit me! It has been SO many years since I've really read the book. I've taken it for granted & have just heavily leaned on all the different tellings on stage or screen for many years. After pointing out one glaring inconsistency in nearly every telling I've come across, it got me thinking that I really want to read it again. The Mid-Continent Libraries have done their job in bringing in Mr. Dickens to tell the story! I am really wanting to read it again! On pages, and between front & back covers. I'm yearning for the words of Charles Dickens. So I must get on that!<br />
<br />
With all of that said & done, plus a couple of glasses of Antioxidant Fortified Jesus Water enjoyed, it was time to call it a night, know that I'm thankful for all we have, for the quiet we got to take in, the roof over my head, the family under it with me, the food we are able to provide, and traditions we can take in, no matter how weird they may seem sometimes. God is so good!<br />
<br />
Thankfully, we had enough leftovers to enjoy for another meal. My hubby pointed out that it seemed less glamorous the next night; but even with the food being served from storage containers & on paper plates, it was still just as delightful as it was the night before.<br />
<br />
And now we are moving forward into our full-blown Christmas season! Time to prepare an ongoing skit with the hubby for church, as well as a dance to help start the liturgical season of Advent.<br />
<br />
In the midst of it all, so thankful. Here's to our own traditions! <b>*CHEERS*</b><br />
<br />
<i>Stay tuned...</i><br />
<br />
<b>God Bless, <i>AM~Erica</i></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429623157764566539.post-54700552754909027192015-11-25T12:40:00.001-06:002015-11-28T15:00:25.775-06:00AM~Erica Enjoys the Dickens Out of the Evening<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>So anyway...</i><br />
<br />
It's been a while since I've shared anything here. It's been just that crazy!<br />
<br />
And there were so many things I wanted to talk about:<br />
<br />
* I wanted to share about how our Halloween went.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Today is not that day.</i></div>
<br />
* I wanted to share about our hometown Royals winning it all!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Today is not that day.</i></div>
<br />
* I wanted to share about how I didn't make the parade.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Today is not that day.</i></div>
<br />
* I wanted to share about our decorating for Christmas.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Today is not that day.</i></div>
<br />
Instead, I want to jump ahead to something that I'm so glad we got to take in. No, it's not yet Thanksgiving, and there are only very few things tied to Christmas I'm willing to do ahead of time.<br />
<br />
One of the things is decorating. We do get a large part of our decorating up before Thanksgiving. We have people over that day, so we like to be festive. Plus, it allows us to enjoy the sights, within our walls, a little bit longer.<br />
<br />
Another thing is taking in the Enchanted Forest/Festival of Trees. This has been shifted around for years, now. My mom & I (and eventually Teen Girl) have taken in almost every year of it since its inception. Starting at Longview Farms, it shifted to Union Station, then quite recently to the Overland Park Convention Center to be a part of the Holiday Boutique. The weekends have shifted around in the past 20+ years, but we've attended all but two of the years. We even decorated trees on two of the years...<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><u><a href="http://am-ericasezso.blogspot.com/search/label/Enchanted%20Forest" target="_blank">REMINDER HERE</a></u></i></b></div>
...then this year changed. Marillac was no longer sponsoring the trees. So we figured it wouldn't take place. To our shock, the Festival of Trees would still be part of the Holiday Boutique, just taken over by a different organization. And it took place on yet another weekend. My point is that we take in the trees BEFORE Thanksgiving. As for our experience of this most recent outing...<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Today is not that day.</i></div>
<br />
There's several Christmas tree lighting ceremonies that happen a week or so before Thanksgiving, too. We tried to take in one of those events a few years ago. We weren't overly impressed.<br />
<br />
Then...something different came up. It was something we needed to take in right now if we were going to do it. I came across an opportunity to kick off the Christmas season in an interesting way. And since it was a traveling event, it was now or never!<br />
<br />
This particular event was a one-man-show. A storytelling event by a man who was retelling a very popular Christmas tale. It's the tale where the term "<b><i>Merry Christmas</i></b>" is used and made it's way into the present commonplace as a greeting highly popular & cultural greeting of choice.<br />
<br />
Sir Patrick Stewart does a one-man show of this, even after appearing as Ebenezer Scrooge in one of the many, many film adaptations of it. Our own KC Repertory Theater (aka - The Rep) puts on a stage version every year around this time.<br />
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Yes, the beloved story is of "<b><i><u>A Christmas Carol</u></i></b>." The story of the turning of the heart in Mr. Scrooge during an early Victorian Christmas setting, as told by a now-iconic, and world-renowned storytelling novelist, Charles Dickens. (or as referred to in Raul Dahl's '<i><u><b>Matilda</b></u></i>' - "Darles Chickens")<br />
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<br />
We watch different film adaptations every year on our TV. My hubby has even preached on it for Advent! So what made me get excited about this opportunity to hear this story, yet again, trying to catch this traveling one-man-show of a story we can catch so many times throughout the season?<br />
<br />
I was watching the morning news, like I do, on Monday morning. I had gotten the boys off to school, and it was time for me to finish enjoying my coffee before getting ready for the day. Something caught my attention for one of the segments! First, it was theatrical. Uh...Hello? Theater totally speaks to me, if you didn't already know. (This shouldn't shock anyone.) Plus, this distinguished looking gentleman was on my screen. Maybe he seemed distinguished since he looked all proper-like in his very Victorian suit costume. But as the information was pouring from the TV set, I was listening with amazement about the guy who was to do this one-man-show of "A Christmas Carol!"<br />
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His name is Gerald Dickens.<br />
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<br />
Is it a name that sounds familiar? Well it should. Especially when tied to the story he was telling. See, Gerald has some lineage to the author. The one-man-show of the beloved Christmas tale would be performed by the great-great grandson of Charles Dickens!<br />
<br />
Our Mid-Continent Libraries were awesome enough to host this gig. He performed in a few places, but it would the be performance on the following night that would be best worked for us. If we could go...of course.<br />
<br />
After looking at our schedules, and seeing we could afford to go (it was FREE, people!), and running it by the kiddos (2 of the 3 children were stoked to go), we got ourselves together to head to the performance.<br />
<br />
Most of our family are into theater. There's me (of course), my hubby, Teen Girl (it's kind of her passion), and Teen Boy (who just finished a stint as Lt. Brannigan & the voice of Joey Biltmore in his high school production of "<b><i><u>Guys and Dolls</u></i></b>"). Lil Guy, though filled with so much talent, hasn't quite built his love for theater just yet. He enjoys some, but not his first choice to jump on if the opportunity arises. We're working on him.<br />
With that said, my hubby definitely saw it as an interesting opportunity. My teenagers about came unglued when they found out who was doing the storytelling of THIS story! The youngest swore he didn't want to go, but we informed him he had no choice.<br />
<br />
When we got to the venue, there were several folks already there. There was coffee & hot chocolate with cookies being served at the back. We found seats & then took turns to get some toasty refreshment before things got started.<br />
<br />
At exactly 7:00 PM, the very beginning of Transiberian Orchestra's "<b><i><u>Christmas Eve Sarajevo</u></i></b>" began to play (I know this song very well - I choreographed a dance to it, of course) and a man slowly made his way onto the stage; as the music is supposed to change to a strong tone, a bell toll came instead, prompting the gentleman to stop center stage to begin the telling of the tale.<br />
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There's a setting of a leather-looking wingback chair, a coatrack, and a stool. Each of these things are used throughout Gerald's flowing between each character. You always know which character he becomes in any given moment! He has his own little narratives in there, too. I love the little additions from the storyteller's point of view.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQMiGYOFvNogwdUgv1tmtsAa0TbuRTdx3rslMa8n7-wfTYzuovMA1JcNzLYS-e4cYKDcC9v2-m81vRs2ZD9SdyfyanqhtS5vyjDbobCZlM_1V2vAKqIehj4fljFHQUvtFJMmPxZjsazdXm/s1600/Gerald+Dickens2_KSHB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQMiGYOFvNogwdUgv1tmtsAa0TbuRTdx3rslMa8n7-wfTYzuovMA1JcNzLYS-e4cYKDcC9v2-m81vRs2ZD9SdyfyanqhtS5vyjDbobCZlM_1V2vAKqIehj4fljFHQUvtFJMmPxZjsazdXm/s640/Gerald+Dickens2_KSHB.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #666666;">Not taken from the performance we attended, but a photo of Gerald Dickens<br />in the midst of his storytelling.</span></i></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #666666;">Again, not from the show we attended, but more in his storytelling mode.</span></i></b></td></tr>
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<br />
Once in a while, I look on either side of me. I want my family to not regret me nearly forcing them into another weird idea of mine. As I look, I see my hubby (who is often critical of performance) smiling & fully enjoying it; both of my teenagers seem riveted & into it (even if Teen Girl couldn't TOTALLY stay off her phone - ugh); then I check out Lil Guy who seems completely tuned out & disinterested. Once in a while he will laugh at really fun & wonderfully silly parts, but just didn't seem to grasp the whole thing. Ah well...he'll remember back to this years down the road. I'm sure of it!<br />
<br />
With some fun additions in the acting, and some fun audience interaction, we joined in the well-deserved standing ovation given to Mr. Dickens as he wished everyone a Merry Christmas.<br />
<br />
As we left, there was ne'er a negative word spoken about the evening! My hubby gave glowing reviews (which is very difficult to get from him, by the way), my teenagers were enthralled with what they got to witness, and then there was Lil Guy. He's the one who wasn't so into it. Right? But then he said, "I know it didn't seem like I was really paying attention, but he was really good! And he was funny."<br />
<br />
BOOM!<br />
<br />
I thoroughly enjoyed it! And what an awesome way to begin the season! A bit of Dickens' storytelling. Take that as you will.<br />
<br />
And, if you ever get the chance to see Gerald do his one-man-show of his great-great grandfather's storytelling - I am highly encouraging you to do so! You will NOT be disappointed!<br />
<br />
One of these days, I'd love to be able to catch him doing "<b><i><u>Here Comes Dickens</u></i></b>!" I'd love to hear him bring a little of each of the author's novels to life!<br />
<br />
Now with that said, it's onto our holiday madness. But glad we got a touching way to begin it.<br />
<br />
<i>Stay tuned...</i><br />
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<b>God Bless, <i>AM~Erica</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><i>**********</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><u>UPDATE:</u></b> After sharing this post upon Twitter, Mr. Gerald Dickens gave his approval (YAY!) and shared with me HIS blog post of the day including the performance in which we attended. So, I'll share with you. The link to his post, <b><i><u><a href="https://geralddickens.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a></u></i></b>.<br />
<br />
<b><u>UPDATE 2.O:</u></b> As I wanted to keep up on the tales of Gerald Dickens during his stay in KC, I took a moment to read his next blog post about his reception that we didn't get to make. Imagine my shock in reading this entry! You might understand why when you read it, <b><i><u><a href="https://geralddickens.wordpress.com/2015/11/26/1702/" target="_blank">HERE</a></u></i></b>!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429623157764566539.post-20024528224263731322015-11-08T20:21:00.001-06:002015-11-09T10:39:31.510-06:00AM~Erica's Red Cup Rant<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>So anyway...</i><br />
<br />
There's a thing going on.<br />
This thing has me pulling out my soapbox again. So, here goes:<br />
<br />
Starbuck's has really done it now. They went and changed things.<br />
<br />
I know! Right?<br />
<br />
Just when we expect the popular coffee spot(s) to rise to the occasion for the upcoming holidays with wonderfully festive cups like these:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #666666;">Oooo....</span></i></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG8xlXI2ujeYIbPCUUeWcVPwPJEbVMfaWhBQdz5EYO4TzBKdFb14o0FJAkpaHs9BNe5AHbf1M-rcGQTAMq6EQjTvbjXHXMh0tpE5_V-1CGKZEsUJ9oNHXkw4ZIyB9cIIy9GO93DfcH7r80/s1600/starbucks-christmas-paper-cups-2013-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG8xlXI2ujeYIbPCUUeWcVPwPJEbVMfaWhBQdz5EYO4TzBKdFb14o0FJAkpaHs9BNe5AHbf1M-rcGQTAMq6EQjTvbjXHXMh0tpE5_V-1CGKZEsUJ9oNHXkw4ZIyB9cIIy9GO93DfcH7r80/s640/starbucks-christmas-paper-cups-2013-5.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #666666;">Ahhhhh....</span></i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge1N_oUX73Z5q21Ou2SGnQZ7vp0DrPO9fDPDKovMtOlR8SC-WW_CX6P0fc-O4Kn8l1trGvLQe7kIxCIDCYD1fqxH91bpMDuBHiEvJIHzlsltYh0YfD21Y0NQE_1ENfSJJaoqYYCCsruvrl/s1600/Starbucks-holiday-cups2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge1N_oUX73Z5q21Ou2SGnQZ7vp0DrPO9fDPDKovMtOlR8SC-WW_CX6P0fc-O4Kn8l1trGvLQe7kIxCIDCYD1fqxH91bpMDuBHiEvJIHzlsltYh0YfD21Y0NQE_1ENfSJJaoqYYCCsruvrl/s640/Starbucks-holiday-cups2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #666666;">Ohhhhh.....</span></i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Without these, it can't be the Christmas season!<br />
<br />
But instead, they bring THESE monstrosities out:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpavCZXmD0aPzjoPQ6HKzTG4KEJV_EMZ6hT-eGqhuHwtDy5Wpiw7_xNJJQU5yIaoyI87tOUVoB7APldJhOJrosrDGJ96mbOSSQrDwUciUQdCvPoX-kyotmFJxIFpqirt__wIxwPzEzMN1N/s1600/Starbucks_Holiday_Cups-lowres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpavCZXmD0aPzjoPQ6HKzTG4KEJV_EMZ6hT-eGqhuHwtDy5Wpiw7_xNJJQU5yIaoyI87tOUVoB7APldJhOJrosrDGJ96mbOSSQrDwUciUQdCvPoX-kyotmFJxIFpqirt__wIxwPzEzMN1N/s640/Starbucks_Holiday_Cups-lowres.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="color: #141823; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The horror! They are too simple. They don't scream "CHRISTMAS" at all!</span></div>
<div style="color: #141823; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #141823; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">What are we going to do?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(20, 25, 35); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #141923; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I want to put it out there that I am a strong Christian woman who doesn't care what Starbuck’s does with their cups for the upcoming holidays. The minimalistic red is fine. The regular cups are fine. I haven't seen any of my fellow Christian friends throwing a fit. However, somehow, <i>"ALL Christians" </i>seem to be super offended by the simple red cup.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(20, 25, 35); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #141923; line-height: normal; min-height: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(20, 25, 35); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #141923; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So draw something on it. If you want snowflakes, if you want pine trees, if you want a star, if you want a scripture, if you want a cross, if you want a dollar sign, a smiley face, a cat, a saying, if you want whatever artsy thing your heart desires...or even a heart - draw it. Or use the color as the color of love. Use it to illustrate the blood that was shed from the cross for for all of us. Use it to represent there might just be some sort of hot drink in the cup.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(20, 25, 35); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #141923; line-height: normal; min-height: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(20, 25, 35); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #141923; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Guess what. It's a cup. It holds coffee & tea drinks. You drink from it. If the simple cup offends you, get a cup from somewhere else.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(20, 25, 35); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #141923; line-height: normal; min-height: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(20, 25, 35); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #141923; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It's. A. Cup. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Those who are offended, please stop making the rest of us look whiney. For those who think we are offended & want to make a big deal out of it - stop it. We aren't offended.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(20, 25, 35); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #141923; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It's a cup.</span></div>
<div style="color: #141823; margin-bottom: 6px;">
</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(20, 25, 35); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #141923; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Just a cup.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(20, 25, 35); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #141923; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #141923; font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(20, 25, 35); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">There's so many things the media chooses to cover. The media has now </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(20, 25, 35);">Kardashian'd</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(20, 25, 35); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> the news with the ridiculous story that so many Christians are so offended over the red cup.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #141923; font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(20, 25, 35); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #141923; font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(20, 25, 35); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><b><i>*face palm*</i></b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #141923; font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(20, 25, 35); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #141923; font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(20, 25, 35); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Look, if you want to keep Christ in Christmas...</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #141923; font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(20, 25, 35); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqgVoT1Ws07sWAjd5kmXKBDz8gWNCTQ-q7Z72B_I7CYKjEVnm5WGT7b0ehszkoR6UC1qWbQ-hXCRvuSHThl_eZFktUQrsa-LYHavEBmryUXRStNyAwauf0_q9mHdGrU8m_XQYjuPwKGOez/s1600/ChristInChristmas_starbuckscup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqgVoT1Ws07sWAjd5kmXKBDz8gWNCTQ-q7Z72B_I7CYKjEVnm5WGT7b0ehszkoR6UC1qWbQ-hXCRvuSHThl_eZFktUQrsa-LYHavEBmryUXRStNyAwauf0_q9mHdGrU8m_XQYjuPwKGOez/s640/ChristInChristmas_starbuckscup.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #141923; font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(20, 25, 35); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #141923; font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(20, 25, 35); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #141923;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Seriously, if you are </span>claiming<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> to be Christian and think that the biggest problem is that Starbuck's doesn't have a festive enough cup for you to be in the Christmas spirit, you are doing it wrong. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #141923;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Very, very wrong.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #141923;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #141923;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Did you know you can feed the hungry, clothe the naked, forgive the </span></span></span><span style="color: #141923;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">guilty, welcome the unwanted, care for the ill, love your enemies, and do unto others as you would have done unto you...all while holding a simple red cup? It's possible. You can even give any of these people a simple red cup as a caring gesture. And you know what? It will be a more Christian-like Christmas gesture than any graphic that would be printed upon that cup.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #141923;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #141923;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm going to take it further:</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #141923;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When Jesus blessed the cup & told his disciples to drink from it, he told them it was his blood that would be shed for them; take it, drink it, and remember Christ. </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #141923;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>(Luke 22:19-20, Matthew 26:27-28)</i></b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #141923;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It's kind of a big deal with communion. </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #141923;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Remember the cup. </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #141923;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A simple cup.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #141923;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>(I doubt the disciples remembered communion with a jewel-encrusted goblet while wearing fancy robes & stoles. Did you NOT watch '<b><u>Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade</u></b>?')</i></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #141923;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #141923;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #141923;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That simple cup spoke greater than any other cup we want to look festive to feel the spirit. Of anything. That's pretty Pharisaical to think otherwise, amm-i-rite? </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #141923;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #141923;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Something to think about while we are allowing ourselves to be consumed by Kardashian'd news & hypocritical views on chain cups during a holiday.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #141923;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #141923;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It's just a cup, folks.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #141923;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It's just a cup.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #141923;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXabC9tU2pWlHXkaQIQY37hYnKSNdwQT9b6B3ckngXD9cEKJhP-NIcNBZTMxE8_Fm7aqqIqdLcNyAWmKboRfYBPfAQ_C-05c-lMqtpck8DJJm6HO5MlexQatMczyHcny_chkyrysWy51da/s1600/Starbucks_ItsJustACup_meme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXabC9tU2pWlHXkaQIQY37hYnKSNdwQT9b6B3ckngXD9cEKJhP-NIcNBZTMxE8_Fm7aqqIqdLcNyAWmKboRfYBPfAQ_C-05c-lMqtpck8DJJm6HO5MlexQatMczyHcny_chkyrysWy51da/s640/Starbucks_ItsJustACup_meme.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #141923;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #141923;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #141923;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So drink up, if you choose. You should worry more about whether or not you drink Starbuck's rather than the cup it's in. </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #141923;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #141923;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So fill mine with a PSL or a Gingerbread Latte.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #141923;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Merry Christmas! Share the love.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #141923;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #141923;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>** No, you don't have to believe what I do, but I do hope you understand where I'm coming from. Just know this is from the heart of a Christian. So I hope you realize "All Christians" do not share the same view as a tiny few.</i></b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #141923;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #141923;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Stay tuned...</i></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #141923;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #141923;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>God Bless, <i>AM~Erica</i></b></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429623157764566539.post-69793856170554018672015-10-12T08:59:00.000-05:002015-10-12T09:40:01.510-05:00AM~Erica Celebrates Belatedly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8kaOcii6xcdBQsmNH6Q6vA614YjOkZTqNNFhleYfKro65NG41q1cD4FJziWJ60MgzY4Z3Bqp-KNXxWfMI1EuQW-FNsOdrK2BmFqAOyXa0RX6QbQeYZfRw6abf6xJTB8Nmph7uC0pfj2M/s1600/AMErica+2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8kaOcii6xcdBQsmNH6Q6vA614YjOkZTqNNFhleYfKro65NG41q1cD4FJziWJ60MgzY4Z3Bqp-KNXxWfMI1EuQW-FNsOdrK2BmFqAOyXa0RX6QbQeYZfRw6abf6xJTB8Nmph7uC0pfj2M/s1600/AMErica+2.gif" /></a></div>
<i>So anyway...</i><br />
<br />
I keep trying to get the holiday going, but things keep getting in our way by way of scheduling & things.<br />
<br />
Last year, on October 9th, I tried to celebrate Leif Erickson Day (reminder <b><i><u><a href="http://am-ericasezso.blogspot.com/2014/10/america-tried-to-celebrate.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></u></i></b>), and it went OK. Needed to do much better. So I tried again this year...<br />
<br />
It was Teen Boy's last first tournament of his high school career. So he wouldn't be with us for dinner, for sure.<br />
<br />
Teen Girl is trying to start her job, so she had her first training/orientation - but their computers were down, so she was there for about 5 minutes...again.<br />
<br />
Lil Guy had a school thing where it was like a writer's workshop. They were to showcase a story they had been working on, along with some goodies.<br />
<br />
As you can see, chunks of our day were taken up already.<br />
<br />
Originally I was picturing having crepes with lingonberry sauce...but...but...pumpkin pancakes happened! Because, well, pumpkin pancakes.<br />
When I walked into our IHOP with my hubby, one of the servers saw us coming, was waiting for us, then said, <b><i>"Hi, guys! Pumpkin pancakes? Do you even need menus?"</i></b><br />
HAHAHAHA!!<br />
They know us there.<br />
So, coffee & pumpkin pancakes it became. Because...pumpkin pancakes.<br />
We love them.<br />
<br />
Also, since it was a Friday, and Teen Boy was at a tournament, we usually have orange chicken. (recipe <b><i><u><a href="http://biggirlpantry.blogspot.com/2013/11/easy-orange-chicken.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></u></i></b>) It was hard to waiver from our first orange chicken dinner in quite some time.<br />
<br />
Plus, the Royals were playing that night, too.<br />
<br />
The closest viking-anything I did during the day was wear a fur vest...to accessorize my Royals shirt, of course.<br />
<br />
<i>*le sigh*</i><br />
<br />
Another holiday that didn't go nearly as planned...figures.<br />
<br />
So, I decided to piece it together in the time coming.<br />
<br />
Saturday, I decided to do a viking-inspired meal. Even though the kiddos were grumpy about it (minus Teen Boy, who was back at his tournament), I baked up some salmon fillets on cedar planks, then served it with cranberry sauce (YAY! It's cranberry season!! Find the recipe <b><i><u><a href="http://biggirlpantry.blogspot.com/2013/11/easy-holiday-cranberry-sauce.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></u></i></b>) and some sweet potato crinkles.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEGg13TMPFlblP6npSkebIT9XpGQ8Kiwv_kTcmavn2tfOx7HX0zvLxXcz1i_LAtEZfEPgql5fQp69NnsDCKxXO3eGO8wm6SyvGuLhnKNQJupl817eX8FLQPAa_7fI4f2ic-jLgvxT2fUCQ/s1600/IMG_0253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEGg13TMPFlblP6npSkebIT9XpGQ8Kiwv_kTcmavn2tfOx7HX0zvLxXcz1i_LAtEZfEPgql5fQp69NnsDCKxXO3eGO8wm6SyvGuLhnKNQJupl817eX8FLQPAa_7fI4f2ic-jLgvxT2fUCQ/s640/IMG_0253.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I added almonds to top my salmon, walnuts topped the salmon for hubby.<br />
<br />
Then, since it's is October, I have dressed up for the promo table for Trunk-or-Treat at church for the past few years. This year is no different.<br />
Week 1 had Laetitia, the Roman goddess of joy, celebration & festivities cover the table.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkSwWaqYSd5uEfqFEfFZgB8mctUy-8mSUNlxh45PlRDfWRWCD-MeoIsgpqe9QhIlqNWEGxb_6lcE6tdd4eiNRcVdL_vJ5uhEGtSyD8C0V6A6t8SKwZ-Eo32BSKwKITuvkHBLxBYk3tjSK/s1600/IMG_0231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkSwWaqYSd5uEfqFEfFZgB8mctUy-8mSUNlxh45PlRDfWRWCD-MeoIsgpqe9QhIlqNWEGxb_6lcE6tdd4eiNRcVdL_vJ5uhEGtSyD8C0V6A6t8SKwZ-Eo32BSKwKITuvkHBLxBYk3tjSK/s640/IMG_0231.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #666666;">Laetitia, Roman goddess of joy, celebration & festivities</span></i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So, when week 2 was approaching, a few things came into play for that week:<br />
1. it needed to be used as close to Leif Erickson Day as possible<br />
B. the Chiefs could NOT be playing the Vikings<br />
<br />
Once both of these were confirmed, I prepared Hinga Dingadoergan, a viking warrior, to take the stage.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #666666;">Hinga Dingadoergan taking the mic on the stage at Christ UMC for Trunk-or-Treat promo<br />** photo taken by Teen Girl **</span></i></b></td></tr>
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Of course, with a ruana & fur, it would be an 80 degree day in October...<br />
<i>*le sigh*</i><br />
<br />
So I got to show a bit of wild, viking spirit...so I extended it out a little bit more...<br />
<br />
When I got home, I decided to try some of my open-faced sandwiches, just to keep up the Leif Erickson Day(s) a little longer...<br />
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<br />
Even though I'd hoped to do a little more of my open-faced sandwich (recipe <b><i><u><a href="http://biggirlpantry.blogspot.com/2014/01/scandinavian-style-open-face-sandwiches.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></u></i></b>), I did a super simple smoked salmon on rye bread with honey mustard, chives & dill. I added the sides of strawberries & baby carrots. And it was still delicious!<br />
<br />
I didn't get a chance to do my takeout Danish pastries (like these, <b><i><u><a href="http://biggirlpantry.blogspot.com/2013/04/shortcut-coconut-lime-cheese-danish.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></u></i></b>) or my Scandinavian-inspired almond & cardamom cakes (recipe <b><i><u><a href="http://biggirlpantry.blogspot.com/2014/01/scandinavian-inspired-almond-cardamom.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></u></i></b>). Bummer.<br />
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So, still working on getting the Leif Erickson Day up & running, really. Slowly, but surely. Amm-i-rite? (I am right, and don't call me "Shirley.")<br />
<br />
However, this leads to today. It's supposed to be Columbus Day...but...ugh.<br />
My only celebrating of this day, per the usual, is not getting mail and not going to the bank. Other than that, can we please get rid of this faux celebration? I mean, my kiddos are in school today. That should tell you that this stupid "holiday" is on it's way out.<br />
<br />
I'm all for the push for Indigenous Peoples Day. Let's get on that! And lift up Leif Erickson Day, too! (Umm...it is an actual federal holiday, folks.)<br />
<br />
In the meantime, Hinga Dinga Durgan from Hinga Dingadoergan! And work on better celebrating next year.<br />
<br />
<i>Stay tuned...</i><br />
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<b>God Bless, <i>AM~Erica</i></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429623157764566539.post-85244007441720622872015-10-06T09:47:00.000-05:002015-10-06T13:54:41.030-05:00AM~Erica Spoke for the First Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>So anyway...</i><br />
<br />
Between some health issues within our family, as well as kiddo schedules AND other things I'm involved in, the past few weeks have been really crazy!!<br />
<br />
One of the things I've been able to be a part of has been the Out of the Darkness walk in Kansas City.<br />
<br />
If you remember, I did the walk last year (reminder <b><i><u><a href="http://am-ericasezso.blogspot.com/2014/10/america-walked-out-of-darkness.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></u></i></b>), and my advocacy has kind of skyrocketed in the meantime!<br />
<br />
Within that year, I became a field advocate for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, I kept sharing my story & struggle, I was invited to be a part of the board for the AFSP chapter of Greater Kansas (including the KC metro areas), and meaning I would be helping with this upcoming walk.<br />
<br />
(part of my journey to being on the board, <b><i><u><a href="http://am-ericasezso.blogspot.com/2015/06/america-is-so-honored.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></u></i></b>)<br />
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Once again, I was raising funds for the cause, setting a lower goal, and met it - thanks to a small handful of you. THANK YOU!!<br />
<br />
Because it all led up to this past Saturday: the Out of the Darkness walk in Kansas City.<br />
<br />
Last year was so overwhelming for me.<br />
I was moved to be able to raise funds & come walk for something so important, but I felt out of place.<br />
As someone with lived experience, there was this guilty feeling that washed over me as I stood there amongst all of these people who actually lost someone to suicide. Would they be judgmental & angry with me because I survived my attempt? Would they wonder why I'm still here & their loved one is not? The feeling was almost too much to bear.<br />
However, I was greeted with so much love & understanding; I was told by these people they were so glad I was there...that I made it! Then that was almost too much to bear.<br />
<br />
When I first came on the AFSP KS board, I shared my guilt. I asked them why I was even there. I let them know I felt so guilty sitting in their presence since they lost someone, and here I am. This is where beautiful grace kicks in: I was told they needed me there; I was told I could give them perspective of what may have been going through the minds of their loved ones before losing them. I was there to help bring understanding. Then I almost felt like there might be more resting upon my shoulders in this position, but felt better about being there.<br />
<br />
With that said, a couple of days before the walk, a few of us were trying to help with last minute preparations. The day before the walk, I was getting calls about more prep I could help with: I was on to pick up a a prize from the Missouri Mavericks hockey team for a raffle prize, plus I got a call that stunned me:<br />
Barb, our wonderful & amazing leader, called to see if I could give a talk the next morning about my struggle.<br />
<b><i>*GULP*</i></b> wha-WHA??<br />
But, as it happens, out of my mouth came something to the effect of, <b><i>"Sure! Whatever you need me to do. I've blogged on it, so I have go-to material. How long do you need it to be?"</i></b><br />
<br />
What was I saying? I was in the midst of running errands with my hubby, like we do on Fridays, and here I am agreeing to give a speech less than 24 hours from that point. Holy Cannoli! And, not only should it be about my struggle, but make it uplifting to everyone there grieving. Great. Got it.<br />
<b><i>*ahem*</i></b><br />
<br />
So that afternoon & evening, I was poring over my previous blog posts to see what I should cover. So, I was cutting & pasting what I thought might be helpful (thank you, God, for showing me the way to blogging), then filling in transitions while trying to edit a bit. But, after a while, I had something.<br />
<br />
Then, the day came: the Out of the Darkness walk was upon us!!<br />
<br />
I got up very early to get ready. So did Teen Girl. See, she was one of the official photographers for the event. We got around, I had to get coffee, and we were off to Berkeley Riverfront Park in Kansas City.<br />
<br />
Being a part of the board, it was important we got there early to help with set up. I was, apparently, in charge of directing the staging of the event setup with the unloading of the truck.<br />
Ummm...I have to confess: I had no clue what I was doing. People would walk up to me with bins of material needed to make the walk successful, and I just kept pointing down the main sidewalk, saying, <b><i>"Take it that way!"</i></b> But I did know where registration was, so anything having to do with that, I knew to send them another direction. I'm sure I did great! (I'm sure there's a joke in there somewhere.)<br />
<br />
When that was done, I was trying to help set up a table or two, then I was sent to help with registration.<br />
<b><i>*GULP*</i></b><br />
I had no clue what I was going to do! But I went to the walk-up side of registration, got a crash course in how to approach it, then, again, approached it as if I knew what I was doing.<br />
<br />
While a small handful of people came to register before the official walk-up registration opening, a familiar face was standing in front of my table while filling out a form, but using a clipboard instead of the table. Though I realized who it was, I wasn't going to let on, at first. He was our event MC for the morning. I just told him he could use the table, but I was informed he had a clipboard. OK, so I let it go. But when he informed me, with shock & fear in his eyes, that he had to take the form with him since he always makes a donation & he had to run to his car, I just simply said, <b><i>"That's OK, Nick. I'll be right here when you get back, I'm Erica."</i></b> This is when he nodded & commented on my tutu.<br />
<br />
I figured out who Nick was. He looks exactly like he does on TV! Nick Vasos, a local news anchor for the 9:00 AM & NOON newscasts for Fox 4 KC, plus the early morning traffic guy (and sometimes fills in for a brief weather update).<br />
Everyone, say hi to Nick!<br />
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Apparently Nick has been the event MC before. He was supposed to do it last year, but had to back out last year. He was back for this year, and I was so glad he was! I knew he was probably there with the loss of a beloved weatherman, Don Harmon (I brought him up in this post, <b><i><u><a href="http://am-ericasezso.blogspot.com/2013/09/america-just-making-you-aware.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></u></i></b>). Come to find out, he'd also lost his brother.<br />
Nick was a wonderful MC! So glad he could join us on the amazing, and beautiful day.<br />
<br />
As so many people looked like they were gathering to check in & get registered, things were coming together. The Sean McNown Band was playing while keeping things lively & moving while Nick made announcements throughout.<br />
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<br />
Then the ceremonies were about to begin, so registration closed, and I made my way over to the side of the stage area.<br />
First up was the bead ceremony - the presenting of each color honor bead by a participant who is connected to that color, plus their story.<br />
<br />
I was part of that ceremony last year. I represented blue. <span style="color: blue;">Blue is for one who supports the cause</span>.<br />
<br />
You know, last year I felt so guilty being there as part of that bead ceremony...among so many who lost someone...while I survived my lived experience...<br />
<br />
I watched this year's ceremony, I was semi-listening to the stories. I was going over my talk I was about to give. and had that guilty feeling coming over me again. I was about to take the mic on the stage...to talk about my struggle...to all of these survivors of those they lost. Around 900 people, as a matter of fact.<br />
<br />
Trust me, I have no problem taking the stage. I don't mind taking the mic to talk or make announcements. I've done it before to upwards of about 500 people. But usually that was playing a part, or just a quick little announcement. I mean, I've given talks & mini speeches about myself before, but not to a crowd this big...and not about this subject.<br />
<br />
My nerves started to pick up. My guilt was setting in. What was I doing? Was this long-winded drivel of mine going to reach anyone? Was I just going to be wasting time?<br />
<br />
I don't know if the look of panic was coming across my face, but while Barb had taken the mic, Nick walked over to me asked if I was nervous, then let me know it will be fine & just asked what I'd be talking about about. He explained he'd be introducing me. All I could muster up was, <b><i>"My experience."</i></b> He confirmed, then pretty much headed right for Barb to take the mic.<br />
<b><i>*GULP*</i></b><br />
<br />
There I was, standing there in my tutu, my EVENT STAFF shirt, and my papers containing a lot of words. And I was introduced, Nick looked my way, and handed me the mic...<br />
<br />
...I was on...<br />
<i><b>*breathe in; breathe out*</b></i><br />
<br />
I looked around at the 900 or so people & looked down at my papers, and began to speak...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1e0VP7Fvodl1pxw-V0NkBhppNKuNcQsLRuChf0HECHHC1DEUCPUwtgiBCilm5MBTcl7dBLI6YlFL-fVh75ITiBLEvW51OjlLPQ6hlkX0X-TyKokiJTpbX7JR5foM3LIsaEaQS_32o8_SO/s1600/AFSP_OODT_opening.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1e0VP7Fvodl1pxw-V0NkBhppNKuNcQsLRuChf0HECHHC1DEUCPUwtgiBCilm5MBTcl7dBLI6YlFL-fVh75ITiBLEvW51OjlLPQ6hlkX0X-TyKokiJTpbX7JR5foM3LIsaEaQS_32o8_SO/s640/AFSP_OODT_opening.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #666666;">That's me, in the tutu, talking to the masses - picture captured by my friend, April</span></i></b></td></tr>
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<br />
So I just opened my mouth and began to read the words of who I am, how my struggle came about, how dark it can get, and hopefully offering some hope from it. Even to those grieving the ones they lost.<br />
<br />
I was pretty emotional. I didn't know how things were going to go, I just laid my heart out there about my struggle.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOML4o3Lg_9NUnWL2NsHoSrvoaaCZRhN1YM4XJMBiTIpGFqyNN3FvO94M55nC2z-5p2x69PKfxLSl0OgE86bTnR2t-hh5zCUcrkLOC6CfbozwfJNhtdTusrBskOdr-_AhcFb2dWZOpt_dy/s1600/AFSP_OODT_2015_talk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOML4o3Lg_9NUnWL2NsHoSrvoaaCZRhN1YM4XJMBiTIpGFqyNN3FvO94M55nC2z-5p2x69PKfxLSl0OgE86bTnR2t-hh5zCUcrkLOC6CfbozwfJNhtdTusrBskOdr-_AhcFb2dWZOpt_dy/s640/AFSP_OODT_2015_talk.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #666666;">Me talking next to the bead ceremony display -<br />interestingly, next to the 3 colors of honor beads I wear: </span><span style="color: #38761d;">green</span><span style="color: #666666;">, </span><span style="color: blue;">blue</span><span style="color: #666666;"> & </span><span style="color: #45818e;">teal</span><span style="color: #666666;">.<br />Photo taken by Teen Girl.</span></i></b></td></tr>
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<br />
I was ready to give up the mic. I didn't want to look at anyone, really. And I didn't care who the first person was to reach me, I was giving them the microphone...<br />
...Nick walked over. I gave him the mic...and then he hugged me, then a little harder, and a little harder...<br />
Wow...I think I needed that. Just the reassurance. And, not gonna lie...I had to take a couple of tissue breaks during my talk. So one of my thoughts going through my head in that moment was, <i>"Don't snot on Nick...please don't snot on Nick."</i><br />
<br />
I was then greeted by Caroline, one of our walk organizers & a force in the chapter. She hugged me so big! Then by Barb, too.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_T2CSlmAk2PfPnUQZWmYKjF0j_UoDYaRTVP2AlSSsrCdK1QsGT0oO8mCTjY_K2TJIMrnTtggVMTDK1675ST5TZzjqVyMoVd-VZvpBTbldg8jeVhTD9dtptimEuTs4bPMANr849-mI-4N/s1600/AFSP_OOTD_2015_Barb-Nick-Caroline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_T2CSlmAk2PfPnUQZWmYKjF0j_UoDYaRTVP2AlSSsrCdK1QsGT0oO8mCTjY_K2TJIMrnTtggVMTDK1675ST5TZzjqVyMoVd-VZvpBTbldg8jeVhTD9dtptimEuTs4bPMANr849-mI-4N/s640/AFSP_OOTD_2015_Barb-Nick-Caroline.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #666666;">Barb Nelson, Nick Vasos & Caroline Allen<br />Photo by Boden Photography</span></i></b></td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
At that moment, a huge weight was lifted from me...and I was almost completely emotionally drained. Just talking about it took a lot out of me.<br />
<br />
Then it was about time to begin the walk...<br />
...yet in the meantime, several were coming up to me asking if I was in their heads. Apparently God laid upon my heart what needed to be heard by even just one person. But I was caught by several.<br />
<br />
My daughter b-lined toward me. I'll be honest, I'm not always the most forthright with my family about the depth of my struggle. I'm not sure my kids are fully aware that the thoughts still go through my head. So Teen Girl got a few pictures, but said she had to stop because she was sobbing. I think it was a bit of a wakeup call.<br />
<br />
I made my way over to the walking course. I couldn't find my team anywhere, so I just began to walk with the crowds. What was wonderful about it was the fact that I actually got stopped by different people to talk about what I said, then even about their struggles, their loved ones, their grief, and why we were there walking. One lady was even on the phone as she walked & stopped me for a hug anyway...while on the phone!<br />
<br />
Eventually, I did see my team at a distance, but I couldn't really catch up to them, so I hoped to meet up with some of them later.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXRg6toP9Q9vw3x2xZqRF-QCux4I7j38UOy1Znx4kItCOpey8YGUKnoh-_rd1Fr0nkU1B3mzUOJMncbJnzH4L0KFCaEE3chBshXqHjjmIIinycvD0zyBAzlmP2W9ovQ6ZBBpepRWojaZVG/s1600/AFSP_OODT_2015_SOLOS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXRg6toP9Q9vw3x2xZqRF-QCux4I7j38UOy1Znx4kItCOpey8YGUKnoh-_rd1Fr0nkU1B3mzUOJMncbJnzH4L0KFCaEE3chBshXqHjjmIIinycvD0zyBAzlmP2W9ovQ6ZBBpepRWojaZVG/s640/AFSP_OODT_2015_SOLOS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #666666;">Banner for Team SOLOS<br />photo taken by Teen Girl</span></i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
On the walk, one lady said she found a flower on the walking path & had been carrying it as it was a perfectly formed flower, but it seemed hopeful since it was part of God's creation. She looked at it & decided I should have it. She was moved by what I'd said.<br />
Many of you know I usually wear a flower in my hair, but I didn't on this day since I didn't know how the breeze would match up with it. So, I placed it behind my ear.<br />
<br />
Some other folks I got to speak with talked about the tutus. Especially some with kiddos who love tutus.<br />
<br />
When I came upon completion of my final lap, I was greeted by my daughter, and we made our way over to the side of the staging area. Soon, closing ceremonies would be taking place.<br />
<br />
As we made our way over, a woman came up to me in tears! She wanted a picture with me, then began to explain she was a survivor of her own attempts. As I looked at her button that begins <b><i>"I Walk For...,"</i></b> she wrote in the word, <b>"MYSELF!"</b> She did open up about how guilty she felt being there walking with all of these other people who lost someone to suicide when she survived her attempts (sound familiar?). I told her we would get our picture & then I wanted to talk to her...<br />
<br />
It was then I began to tell her that it seemed to be a common feeling for those of us in that place. I even told her I still felt guilty being there, and then shared the explanation I got for being on the board. I reminded her she has purpose & that I know she doesn't always feel awesome or beautiful, but needed to give her that reassurance.<br />
Then she did something quite unexpected...<br />
She pulled a ring off of her finger & put it on one of mine. The simple silver band simply reads, <b>"HOPE."</b> She was adamant that I have it. i didn't know what to say, but just hoped that I really helped her in her feelings of being there & to keep going.<br />
<br />
Then came the reading of the names: the names of those that were lost to suicide to be remembered. Their names are read allowed to be remembered - their names will continue to be spoken.<br />
After the list is read solemnly, there is the balloon release.<br />
<br />
The balloon release contains helium-filled balloons with messages of grief & hope of those lost to suicide. These messages are written throughout the morning & even during the walk & placed with other messages on balloons under a net. When the time comes, these brightly-colored balloons are released together as the messages float to the heavens for our loved ones.<br />
It's beautiful, it's heartbreaking...it's bittersweet.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jogm52ql6e6ZSi8pkSka6fl55JIxQALMGjE38Km4Nm0-IkxL18sbFsdnHo4DP9kReuslxjDBwSIKwM8x87IXEStBUsH7gL-oOpHuHmltR2Wjwyu336024BlV9LTJGUD3og9yu9M43ksA/s1600/IMG_0220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jogm52ql6e6ZSi8pkSka6fl55JIxQALMGjE38Km4Nm0-IkxL18sbFsdnHo4DP9kReuslxjDBwSIKwM8x87IXEStBUsH7gL-oOpHuHmltR2Wjwyu336024BlV9LTJGUD3og9yu9M43ksA/s640/IMG_0220.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUH_NlzhJNOx6TLbecUEvAI-u6xhIv6Uvnp5aN1yxu3_QbotgVMNOFVMqYn7V4BuEViQ2KZDrc7j0EfcVDHELBONW7J8LzSq7-QHA1GwRAUvlKbycfh72PGhhKDZ5-eX_X4T3E6JleqA9/s1600/IMG_0221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUH_NlzhJNOx6TLbecUEvAI-u6xhIv6Uvnp5aN1yxu3_QbotgVMNOFVMqYn7V4BuEViQ2KZDrc7j0EfcVDHELBONW7J8LzSq7-QHA1GwRAUvlKbycfh72PGhhKDZ5-eX_X4T3E6JleqA9/s640/IMG_0221.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
As things wound down, I went over to help put things away, and I was caught by some more folks. One gal said she remembered my tutu from last year, and that their grief was 4-months fresh. Then, she wanted me to talk to a beautiful young woman next to her. As I spoke to her, I found out she had homecoming that night, and...she almost didn't get to see homecoming. She was just 2-weeks freshly out of her latest attempt. WOW...that was hard! I was so glad she could see homecoming! And I told her I was glad she was there to talk about it, to see this next event in her life, and to keep looking for the next tomorrow. Her mother came into the conversation, too.<br />
<br />
Right after that, I was approached by another young woman who had a lot to talk about. Her attempt(s) happen to be right on the forefront of her mind, as well as her ongoing struggle & how it affected her family.<br />
<br />
By the time I was done with those conversations, my table was already cleared!, so I took down the signage, the tablecloth & the table. And then to help out where I could.<br />
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But...not before trying to get just a few pics in! I didn't get a lot. I was pretty busy this day. But glad I grabbed these couple!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF3MAY3epWZP-eRM9njTxRhjlNExc3jfQioGM8_IV23jv9rERB-UDUo0vfLr8rJlYJhY1OvH6ZANOAfyzg3ViBAfmC1e6oQkxFAqtcZgGLx6-yeHNWS1XXu3bh2soFLTGEjoV8DN50IP1G/s1600/IMG_0223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF3MAY3epWZP-eRM9njTxRhjlNExc3jfQioGM8_IV23jv9rERB-UDUo0vfLr8rJlYJhY1OvH6ZANOAfyzg3ViBAfmC1e6oQkxFAqtcZgGLx6-yeHNWS1XXu3bh2soFLTGEjoV8DN50IP1G/s640/IMG_0223.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #666666;">Here I am with my adorable, sweet friend & fellow board member, April</span></i></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidBhX_iSFRyozWUJVq_Ah1omhhj9ymTujboLy95rWeMldXAPd7Kk8WXAJHYRJ6Ll-aedMdnzNtDY2LNAMFHa-LlzrE1vdZNgi_zXlrtgXveohXwK0obAPT0oVa-SeQqy2kJ257_AjuviGC/s1600/IMG_0224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidBhX_iSFRyozWUJVq_Ah1omhhj9ymTujboLy95rWeMldXAPd7Kk8WXAJHYRJ6Ll-aedMdnzNtDY2LNAMFHa-LlzrE1vdZNgi_zXlrtgXveohXwK0obAPT0oVa-SeQqy2kJ257_AjuviGC/s640/IMG_0224.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #666666;">Here I am with Jenn, the amazing leader & founder of SOLOS.<br />Love this gal, and still credit her for launching my advocacy.<br />God definitely put us in each other's paths years ago for a reason.</span></i></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgns4cSx2AXKUCVhyphenhypheniLQ1HIhaGQDIi4xuQ7K0NZKqTtzjG0SAph6NhcNhjw8y76_ACJk-wMR60FhZEkBvXUo2LqXvWcFEJ9RBBlYm5HoRQROFpmKp3lcV02vi4ExMeyC578rM_osp37Q0P7/s1600/IMG_0225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgns4cSx2AXKUCVhyphenhypheniLQ1HIhaGQDIi4xuQ7K0NZKqTtzjG0SAph6NhcNhjw8y76_ACJk-wMR60FhZEkBvXUo2LqXvWcFEJ9RBBlYm5HoRQROFpmKp3lcV02vi4ExMeyC578rM_osp37Q0P7/s640/IMG_0225.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #666666;">Took a moment to pause as things were winding way down to get a pic<br />by the river at Berkley Riverfront Park</span></i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Plus, I did finally catch up with my team:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJCuZjP30ehz9Pl6HqoHFwowNVmtp-7LOL2WqEWzN79U-1uhArkVBHC6pNse80tgnW9OVMmt46hKaLGd8Fu2fD82Kj1t_3Apb-wHSxO3KOA44E6V8UAcTK0YMNLWMZVf__x8yTKCLtArJ/s1600/AFSP_OODT_2015_SOLOS-team.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJCuZjP30ehz9Pl6HqoHFwowNVmtp-7LOL2WqEWzN79U-1uhArkVBHC6pNse80tgnW9OVMmt46hKaLGd8Fu2fD82Kj1t_3Apb-wHSxO3KOA44E6V8UAcTK0YMNLWMZVf__x8yTKCLtArJ/s640/AFSP_OODT_2015_SOLOS-team.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #666666;">Here's a large portion of Team SOLOS<br />I borrowed this pic from my friend, Jenn - not sure who took the photo</span></i></b></td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
<br />
With all of this, I got a few of my take-aways from the day:<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6_RJW5jDkgPp0V2nZ9KdvkTDmw9WkCEeO-WEqYvbCXWWm39mQChwQXqxvj2TfIyJ76yPMJNAkxJ123cVpZcg0d4mebsC968TtfvHnTmHmkffTJN0IOXM3nBqmTF4RSCDRkxC0LwDTMo4P/s1600/IMG_0227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6_RJW5jDkgPp0V2nZ9KdvkTDmw9WkCEeO-WEqYvbCXWWm39mQChwQXqxvj2TfIyJ76yPMJNAkxJ123cVpZcg0d4mebsC968TtfvHnTmHmkffTJN0IOXM3nBqmTF4RSCDRkxC0LwDTMo4P/s640/IMG_0227.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #666666;">Here are my beads: </span><span style="color: #38761d;">Green</span><span style="color: #666666;">, </span><span style="color: blue;">Blue</span><span style="color: #666666;"> & </span><span style="color: #45818e;">Teal</span><br /><span style="color: #666666;">plus the flower & the ring I was handed by fellow walkers</span></i></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYo5Wo2PLjsFNjX8C2jvis5vvy6VQWWXxP_XN5qM2yNoBIhYKnLlOGqw4mdxBLCNqCAAvCBQeua70JtxQXmNRZUgY84-n_Fh-yiRA7lvgMnl1bvdr49O-EjEUYl4rUEiGUZZUU05Dk5nQM/s640/blogger-image-1637330452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYo5Wo2PLjsFNjX8C2jvis5vvy6VQWWXxP_XN5qM2yNoBIhYKnLlOGqw4mdxBLCNqCAAvCBQeua70JtxQXmNRZUgY84-n_Fh-yiRA7lvgMnl1bvdr49O-EjEUYl4rUEiGUZZUU05Dk5nQM/s400/blogger-image-1637330452.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b><i>T-shirt I received for raising at least $150<br />(front - above; back - below)</i></b></span></td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
Even though I was so much more involved this year, I still felt so insignificant in this grander scheme.<br />
There's still SO much work that has to be done, folks!! We are still losing people to suicide; we are losing people in their thoughts.<br />
<br />
You can still donate through the end of the year! At the time of this posting, you can look at the top left of this blog page & see where you can click to donate.<br />
<br />
As part of what we do, $10 helps distribute an educational DVD about mental health & suicide. Education leads to breaking of stigma & making strides in suicide prevention!<br />
<br />
In some added confirmation that maybe my struggles hit home with someone, a friend of mine shared a post from one of her friends at the walk. In the post, he said he heard a speech that let him know it's OK to talk about it, so he opened up about his attempts & continued struggles, and that it was time he started talking about it. WOW! This is what we need, people!<br />
<br />
Let's start talking. Let's break the stigma. Let's start moving toward a suicide-free world.<br />
<br />
(you can read through my journey of struggle <b><i><u><a href="http://am-ericasezso.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></u></i></b>)<br />
<br />
In the meantime, I need rest. I'm drained. I'm worn down. And it's time for some self care. I need to begin feeling better so I can continue the fight & advocacy. Amm-i-rite?<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKe07aUvJzpkJsnIR0f2RBKm7IaFKLvBn50qQ137ixFFsNYIIZo5F0sYUpb5-pZLmS_FRHL2-kqcgUady4zcnCZRy7A2rYpyvgylDlM4ez28NvYIsalwk7UPlR9fH-5Pr7dWdHqfmffYE/s1600/IMG_0217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKe07aUvJzpkJsnIR0f2RBKm7IaFKLvBn50qQ137ixFFsNYIIZo5F0sYUpb5-pZLmS_FRHL2-kqcgUady4zcnCZRy7A2rYpyvgylDlM4ez28NvYIsalwk7UPlR9fH-5Pr7dWdHqfmffYE/s640/IMG_0217.JPG" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #666666;">I will continue to Be The Voice to help #StopSuicide</span></i></b></td></tr>
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Also, I may publish my speech soon. A couple of people asked if I would. But I have at least one more speaking engagement coming soon, so I will flag everyone down if I get it published. Sound like a deal?<br />
<br />
<i>Stay tuned...</i><br />
<br />
<b>God Bless, <i>AM~Erica</i></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429623157764566539.post-23700522818273704872015-09-30T13:33:00.001-05:002015-09-30T13:33:13.754-05:00AM~Erica is 1 of 25<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwuvg4UT_O5kKth-_VDkOO4BAft7ybevNu6fGUch6eRGBG-Cc_DeUjEadrehXRC9xDOdklshHp8UdLWE9ZWer019Ia4ctfa50Ha3Aou1THD_nIkOHVFuB89-YWyXRtzed0j7lVdYAAadw/s1600/AMErica+2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwuvg4UT_O5kKth-_VDkOO4BAft7ybevNu6fGUch6eRGBG-Cc_DeUjEadrehXRC9xDOdklshHp8UdLWE9ZWer019Ia4ctfa50Ha3Aou1THD_nIkOHVFuB89-YWyXRtzed0j7lVdYAAadw/s1600/AMErica+2.gif" /></a></div>
<i>So anyway...</i><br />
<br />
I'm just going to come right out & say it:<br />
I'm 1 of 25.<br />
<br />
For all my fellow Trekkies (or Trekkers - whichever you identify with) out there, I realize that sounds very Borg-like. But I'm not talking about Seven of Nine, but a statistic.<br />
<br />
Ugh! I hate being a statistic! But I am like many other women who fight migraines AND depression. But that's not what I'm talking about either...except the depression part does lead to this particular statistic.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Did you know that suicide is the 10th leading cause of death?<br />
Now think about this:<br />
Did you know that for every suicide, there are 25 attempts?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLyl1iLiqT_JCwYzusK6qCErtkfN41TCMBPO49hcS6snE55ns-bDewJbKJRJH5kcanNsnK_BQer4Ka-vXUUXOKZH8c-_K9Z7oIwT-hX_gI8lvOzeYDhhJTm__z0PJ3FoqQKmRG0OQZuVuI/s1600/AFSP_Stat_1in25attempts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLyl1iLiqT_JCwYzusK6qCErtkfN41TCMBPO49hcS6snE55ns-bDewJbKJRJH5kcanNsnK_BQer4Ka-vXUUXOKZH8c-_K9Z7oIwT-hX_gI8lvOzeYDhhJTm__z0PJ3FoqQKmRG0OQZuVuI/s640/AFSP_Stat_1in25attempts.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
That's right. There are 25 people who attempt suicide for every single one who completes their own. We should be heartbroken enough to grieve for the one we lost, but we should be gravely concerned for the ones that are trying to escape pain; the ones that see no other viable option.<br />
<br />
People - that's me. I am 1 of 25.<br />
<br />
In just a few days, I will have the opportunity to walk with hundreds of others for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) in Kansas City. We walk for raising the awareness of suicide; we walk to raise funds to lead to the dwindling, and, hopefully, the prevention of suicide.<br />
<br />
Many of these people who walk have lost someone close to them due to suicide. This Out of the Darkness walk is heartbreaking-yet-healing in its own experience. There are so many, in just our area, who have been affected in some way by suicide.<br />
<br />
Then, there's those like me. The ones who are part of the 25. The ones with lived experience; the ones who failed their attempt. I failed my attempt. I'm still here. They are still here. We don't know why...but here we are.<br />
<br />
Now, I don't ever want anyone to ever be in that position! Ever! But I do still struggle. Many of us who have failed our attempts have tried more than once &/or fight the thoughts to do so again.<br />
<br />
~~~~~~~~~~<br />
<br />
When someone shows up to one of the Out of the Darkness walks, pretty much everyone is wearing beads around their necks. Though it seems like something out of a Mardi Gras celebration, it isn't. It's much deeper than that.<br />
These are honor beads. Each color represents a category of why they are walking.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8CB5pyLA3reVwERGxzRtRmMO5kE8_UQ8mIycEi7nJj95FuInW_lT7R7LGOHVY7GbLhvs4O_6y7HlXU6xMTen2FEDmK6g4WFV1MG4Ki_rYsBTDZbnQWrL7APc_p1_a9zMQ6im8JlB3JI0H/s1600/AFSP_HonorBead_Colors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8CB5pyLA3reVwERGxzRtRmMO5kE8_UQ8mIycEi7nJj95FuInW_lT7R7LGOHVY7GbLhvs4O_6y7HlXU6xMTen2FEDmK6g4WFV1MG4Ki_rYsBTDZbnQWrL7APc_p1_a9zMQ6im8JlB3JI0H/s640/AFSP_HonorBead_Colors.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
When I showed up for the first time, last year, it slowly begin to hit me when I saw these colors (some had more than one) draped around their necks:<br />
When someone is wearing a red one; when someone is wearing a couple of white ones; when someone is wearing a white AND orange one; when someone is wearing a white AND silver one; when someone is wearing a couple of purples AND a red one...I think you get the picture.<br />
<br />
Let me tell you why I walk.<br />
<br />
First, I walk because I am 1 of the 25. Remember? And you know what? I know several others of you reading this right now are part of the 25. I walk so we can break the stigma & speak freely without feeling as we are looked down upon because we struggle, or get backlash because of our pain.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTl-TZJTOChuTCal-3PTGNiH9uLPx2I45Gq4sgqh9UdxQVacWviB3Cs2DASN5Cvoyf1sWylSj-gPqG59kFDjTQoo9y_eeVZRV7CR0YUMTJ12-0NZqatInCPqpyLSCMsXrJGuNCg1iT9nk/s1600/BeFunkyCollage_AFSP_25attempts_Beads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTl-TZJTOChuTCal-3PTGNiH9uLPx2I45Gq4sgqh9UdxQVacWviB3Cs2DASN5Cvoyf1sWylSj-gPqG59kFDjTQoo9y_eeVZRV7CR0YUMTJ12-0NZqatInCPqpyLSCMsXrJGuNCg1iT9nk/s640/BeFunkyCollage_AFSP_25attempts_Beads.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Suicide seems to be such a taboo subject. The things people say to someone who lost a loved one, or who just openly say such callus things about suicide is shocking, and heartbreaking.<br />
<br />
I know those who have lost a loved one to suicide. And the things they hear certainly don't help with healing! If no one is going to tell someone who lost a loved one to a heart attack or cancer that their loved one asked for it, then it shouldn't be said about someone lost to suicide.<br />
<br />
This thing is bigger than me. It's bigger than you! People are suffering & get to a point, in a skewed reality, that the pain is too great to go on. We must fight for these people!!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvuNzujDZ3gtSx6hKpqYpr7jRMvws3sc8-Nx2LD8Dswgb3-XDiKQa6AsQUGdM44XTz-YUEUJZ9WPO5qyuj5UZCzg4O759Z5lalwVAdMLh2qhfYkTBPaIFuj6Oll3TJ2qKHXM9NKc6fGjvH/s1600/BeFunkyCollage_AFSP_Support_Stats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvuNzujDZ3gtSx6hKpqYpr7jRMvws3sc8-Nx2LD8Dswgb3-XDiKQa6AsQUGdM44XTz-YUEUJZ9WPO5qyuj5UZCzg4O759Z5lalwVAdMLh2qhfYkTBPaIFuj6Oll3TJ2qKHXM9NKc6fGjvH/s640/BeFunkyCollage_AFSP_Support_Stats.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #666666;">With 108 suicides every day, there are 2,700 attempts in the same time frame.</span></i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
There's so much we are trying to do. So many lives we are trying to save!<br />
<br />
So, when I walk, I will wear the <span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>GREEN</b></span>, <span style="color: #45818e;"><b>TEAL</b></span>, and <span style="color: blue;"><b>BLUE</b></span> honor beads.<br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">I have lived experience & still struggle.</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">I know of others with lived experience &/or struggle.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">I support the cause, because I want to see an end to suicide all together.</span><br />
<br />
Now then, you can help, too.<br />
<br />
I am, once again, walking with Team SOLOS. And I am raising funds. Every little bit helps.<br />
<br />
Donating online is easy & safe. You can click on my picture, below, to take you to the fundraising page!<br />
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<a href="http://afsp.donordrive.com/participant/am~erica74" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTfbVWEwZn8LhTRihoBdikDRj_Hf7qhuzOFViwOvrJVJ8AYWa12rS8OadHDnsrKfciXGDBeGLxe-_a8YzG6DNrOVLHIJGLjEyGIYDIcNusJ-ZuXjqGCOP2YsNJXVt8NcLh4avv9gIxqoq/s640/HeadShot_me_3a.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<br />
Even $5 will bring us closer to a world without suicide. And AFSP is the leader in funding research leading to finding the roots of the fatal suicide side effect of many illnesses.<br />
<br />
Being a part of AFSP, we are looking to drop the suicide rate 20% by the year 2025. It is thru the funding for education & research that we can do this, and your support.<br />
<br />
Chances are you have been affected by suicide in your life: maybe you lost someone, maybe someone close to you attempted to take their own life &/or struggles, maybe, just maybe, you are 1 of 25.<br />
<br />
Maybe you would care enough to join us this weekend. We will be at Berkley Riverfront Park. We will be walking, volunteering, supporting, grieving, hugging...and just be there for each other as we continue to raise awareness of suicide.<br />
<br />
You can still register online thru Friday, October 2nd, until NOON (CST) at <a href="http://afsp.donordrive.com/">http://afsp.donordrive.com</a>. When you come, which honor beads will you don?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6BCT_E9-m98E2IHQnaR58n7SsJpGPKVBmxjgxm-tFcNZR7tdyNxAdqi2_V0-iduaN1ODJfswSB0vqcXXosXZ452KhfrJkpOvAH_FMkJsEYy0_n-rDBPt9hjvqGTpTXwzw8lViIxFCddva/s1600/BeFunkyCollage_AFSP_3Beads-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6BCT_E9-m98E2IHQnaR58n7SsJpGPKVBmxjgxm-tFcNZR7tdyNxAdqi2_V0-iduaN1ODJfswSB0vqcXXosXZ452KhfrJkpOvAH_FMkJsEYy0_n-rDBPt9hjvqGTpTXwzw8lViIxFCddva/s640/BeFunkyCollage_AFSP_3Beads-logo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Thank you for any help you are willing give.<br />
<br />
<i>Stay tuned...</i><br />
<br />
<b>God Bless, <i>AM~Erica (1 of 25)</i></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429623157764566539.post-85664396708312027712015-09-22T20:13:00.000-05:002015-09-22T20:13:42.333-05:00AM~Erica Dress & Talks the Part for Loot<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>So anyway...</i><br />
<br />
Life has been a bit crazy the past several days, so I'm a little behind in showing you how our Talk Like a Pirate Day went this year. (because I know you've been waiting impatiently for the breakdown)<br />
<br />
After a disappointing outing last year (reminder <b><i><u><a href="http://am-ericasezso.blogspot.com/2014/09/capn-americas-tlap-is-lost-at-sea.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></u></i></b>), I was sure hoping this time around would be much better!<br />
<br />
First up for the day had to be the morning grog, so got the coffee brewing. It was a perfect fall-like morning, so the back door was opened & coffee was enjoyed by the deck.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
In a lot of rushing around, plans for the day, and with some family stuff that came up, it's amazing the adventures that got worked in!<br />
<br />
I got myself together, got into my best pirate attire, perched my sidekick for the day, Pipsquawk, on my shoulder, and readied the Sea-Sick Crocodile for sailing the course of this wonderfully weird holiday.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglhWGOs5sobXuwaib5pwBsnYWOPV_kjvv8rqhggf6pkDqvNEDavRDsY6V80wvYzDs-GCzp5wpiYy9bBzYDbB3naLARegRFCAQMWgO64cghGXrBOnwU6bgEEn-WEKBRYml5eOJHqlVqp6ct/s1600/IMG_0080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglhWGOs5sobXuwaib5pwBsnYWOPV_kjvv8rqhggf6pkDqvNEDavRDsY6V80wvYzDs-GCzp5wpiYy9bBzYDbB3naLARegRFCAQMWgO64cghGXrBOnwU6bgEEn-WEKBRYml5eOJHqlVqp6ct/s640/IMG_0080.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b><i>Out of needed 3 items from each list, I covered 8/12 items for Krispy Kreme <br />and 6/10 for Long John Silvers. I'm an overachiever in this department.</i></b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #666666;">On my shoulder is Pipsquawk. A "parrot on the shoulder" made both, Krispy Kreme & Long John Silver's,<br />lists of items needed to get free loot - so Pipsquawk is my pet parrot brooch.</span></i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I set sail for Krispy Kreme, first.<br />
Now then, I was really thinking about this:<br />
Krispy Kreme has no business getting themselves into the TLAP Day holiday. It makes no sense!! However, they were smart enough to run such a great promo to get in on the fun, they are now nearly synonymous with the holiday!<br />
<br />
A few days before that, I came across a t-shirt of Lil Guy's that I did up for him to wear on TLAP Day last year...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Me:</b> Hey! Wonder if you can still wear this shirt for Saturday.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>LG:</b> Why? What's Saturday?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Me:</b> Ummm...Talk Like a Pirate Day!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>LG:</b> <b><i>*GASP*</i></b> Doughnuts?!?!?</div>
<br />
So there you have it. Krispy Kreme has successfully put their mark on the treasure map of TLAP Day.<br />
<br />
Anyhoo...<br />
I headed there, first. When I pulled the Sea-Sick Crocodile into their port, there was an adult male pirate leaving the port. I don't know what the front of him looked like, but the outfit from the back was amazing!! The long coat, the cut off pants the boots, the hat...it was fantastic.<br />
<br />
So when I went in, things were hopping! A few people were in there to get their free dozen of glazed doughnuts with the minimum amount of work - 3 of the 12 things from the list. Which is fine...good for them. Glad they got in the fun. Plus, it was time for the "<b><span style="color: red;">HOT NOW</span></b>" to be happening...so everyone was getting a warm, glazed doughnut when they came in...mmmmm....<br />
<br />
I walked out of there with my 1 dozen FREE doughnuts. Which is great. But I was wanting to actually BUY a couple other things. However, they handed me my cardboard Talk Like a Pirate Day chest of golden-glazed rings along with a receipt for $0.00 (because...uh...FREE). They seemed to send me on my way, down the plank, without asking if there was anything else they could do for me, or if I would like anything else. Because I DID!! I was hoping to swing back by later, if there was time. So I'll get to that in a moment.<br />
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<br />
<br />
I brought home round 1 of treasure! The boys were very happy...until I told them we were saving it for dessert after dinner. Bwah-hahahaha!!!<br />
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Then my hubby had to run a few errands before some other adventures we had planned, so I got cleaned up (What? Pirates can get clean from time-to-time.) and threw my pirate garb back on. I planned on getting a free lunch on the way to a get-together...<br />
The lunch thing didn't work out. By the time my hubby got back home, we were running a bit later than kind of hoped. Plus, he looked at me oddly. (Yeah! NOW he looks at me oddly.) He was waiting for ME to get ready and was filling time. When he, finally asked if I was going to get showered and ready, I looked at my attire, looked at him, and said, <b>"<i>But...I am ready.</i>"</b><br />
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He was confused. He thought I was only dressed like that to get doughnuts & not for our other endeavors of the day. D'oh! He was wrong.<br />
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Part of it was to get more free food. And I was told I could wear it to the 50th birthday party we were supposed to be attending...that was not pirate-themed...<br />
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<b><i>*ahem*</i></b><br />
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During some of the downtime, I did enjoy one of our household staples: Pirate's Booty!!<br />
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So then we got ready to go, me still in my full-on-pirate gear, and headed to our good friend's 50th birthday party!<br />
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I was going to walk in like there was nothing out of the ordinary. I mean, c'mon: for me, this is not far out of the ordinary in my world. We were greeted at the door by a guy who just burst out laughing gleefully! No, I did not know this guy, but he obviously had to be there for my friend's day. He told us to come in, another lady joined him, plus a photographer that looked so much like our friend's mom, it was crazy!<br />
The guy, thru this gleeful laughter, said he hoped I'd show up like that.<br />
Wait...what?? And who are you, again??<br />
But apparently our friend showed my earlier pics (above), and said he hoped I would still have it on for the party. Well, I guess I didn't disappoint then.<br />
Then the photographer jumped right in to say she had to get a photo! Then she introduced herself as our friend's aunt. I totally believed it, too. She looks SO much like her sister!<br />
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Anyway...she took our pic as we came in:<br />
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See, my friend approached me to let me know the kiddos could come if we wanted them to. I informed him that I might be dressed like a pirate since it was being held on TLAP Day. He said he hoped I really would & that pictures may just happen. This is not a problem for me.<br />
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We went and looked at some amazing food laid out on the table. Then we went to track down our friend. He was in the backyard with a slew of other folks celebrating our awesome friend. And for some reason, no one else was dressed like a pirate. Hmmm....<br />
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It was a beautiful day to celebrate his 50th, and so glad I could be a moment of party entertainment.</div>
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See, honey? I told you I could go to the party dressed like a pirate!!</div>
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(Don't worry, people. We already had this conversation.)</div>
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We, sadly, couldn't stay very long - my hubby had another thing on his plate he had to get to. So, off we went...with some cake in hand.</div>
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<b><i>*Wave to Presten, everyone! Wish him Happy Birthday (which is actually TODAY)*</i></b></div>
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<i>(Presten's Aunt Cheryl [sp?] took these great pics)</i></div>
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When we got back home, we had a small bit of downtime, then my hubby was off for a couple of hours. I had some plans, myself...</div>
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I prepared the Sea-Sick Crocodile to set sail for some more piratey fun.</div>
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Still in my garb, I headed off to the port of Long John Silver's! I was so excited they were taking part again, finally! I went in a pre-dinner timeframe, so not many people were in there. No signage was up to say they were participating...but I thought I'd give it a shot anyway. I know one patron was overly-amused by my entrance. I was so glad he was so entertained. I stepped up, and the girl just looked at me, like any other day, and said, <b><i>"Is this for here or to go?"</i></b> So I semi-piratey, almost-defeatedly asked, <b><i>"Arrrre ya doing the whole pirate promo thing?"</i></b> She just looked at me & told me yes. I was SO relieved! I, then, joyfully got my free meal, to go, with 2 pieces of fish, 2 hushpuppies & some fries! A couple people were intrigued by my look, I was complimented on my outfit choice, and that one dude was still overly-tickled that he was seeing a pirate IN Long John Silver's!</div>
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I got my food & headed out to board the Sea-Sick Crocodile for another port: back to the Krispy Kreme!</div>
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Some of you may be disappointed to find out that I was a well-behaved pirate. I went in & told them I had already gotten my dozen doughnuts. I didn't want to tempt my kiddos with more! But I did tell the employees that I just wanted a drink (in the TLAP souvenir cup) & 2 of their fantastic pirate coffee mugs.</div>
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All of this seemed to be an issue with the afternoon employees. All I wanted was an iced PSL in the souvenir cup & 2 of their mugs. They could not seem to get a grasp of what was going on...</div>
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FINALLY, a manager came to help with the ICED pumpkin spice latte to put in the adorable cup, and then one of the employees was confused as whether or not he should "mess with the display" of cups so I could get a couple of mugs. <b><i>*face palm*</i></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQGEtI7MRKNq8UzFwrLSDBcx6YMHmEMXqE-fHDOHaWQ2ZMFQSgd5J96bRx2tY8DMTqRi1phphyphenhyphenIw-DKhSvvIfyHIgZIGdBxpyG0MCz8ehd34ZLKk1vfQSpuUh07RiWbnXdQjby9gtHbneJ/s1600/IMG_0090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQGEtI7MRKNq8UzFwrLSDBcx6YMHmEMXqE-fHDOHaWQ2ZMFQSgd5J96bRx2tY8DMTqRi1phphyphenhyphenIw-DKhSvvIfyHIgZIGdBxpyG0MCz8ehd34ZLKk1vfQSpuUh07RiWbnXdQjby9gtHbneJ/s640/IMG_0090.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #666666;">Back at the Krispy Kreme hoping they get my stuff right</span></i></b></td></tr>
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While I waited, a (non-pirate) couple were just staring at my outfit. I told them that if you're gonna do it, you gotta go all out. They just said, <b><i>"Well, you went all out."</i></b></div>
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Awww! Thank you, nice non-pirate couple!</div>
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So I finally got my mugs when the guy figured out you can sell the mugs on the case...</div>
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Then I finally got my cup with the iced PSL...</div>
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After setting sail from this time at the port of Krispy Kreme, I needed to make one more stop - the port of Wally World.</div>
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See, a pirate really can't get thru the day properly without having at least a splash of rum. Well, we'd already finished the stash we had at the home port, so I did as any other pirate would do: Go to Walmart & get some more!</div>
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I may end up on People of Walmart, but I don't care! It got me free food & awesome stuff! So I just removed my tricorn & eyepatch (that I used as a loose choker) to semi-tone down my look. I still got a lot of looks, but I pretended this is nothing out of the ordinary...</div>
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Move along, people. Nothing to see here. Just another pirate stopping by the Wally World to get their rum. Like any other day.</div>
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Yet I was still getting the stares & stuff. I could feel them. But I just went about my business. I did wave at a couple of kids, though. You know...give THEM that experience of getting noticed by a pirate at Walmart. Amm-i-rite?</div>
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I took my stuff up to a speedy check out. I placed my items on the conveyor belt. There was an older gentleman who was that lane's cashier at this point. He never even flinched. He just ran my items over the scanner like any other customer was standing there. He's probably seen a lot at Walmart in his time, so I was probably not a shock for him. He scanned my coconut rum, glanced at me, decided to not ID me (pshhh - whatever) and bagged it without a question. However, when he came to my bottle of Captain, he mentioned, <b><i>"Well, this is fitting."</i></b> I laughed a bit, and said, <b><i>"Well, that's by design."</i></b></div>
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He asked if I worked in a costume shop or something, so I explained TLAP Day & how I'd already gotten free food. He seemed impressed. And I went about my way.</div>
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So, back into the Sea-Sick Crocodile I went, with Pipsquawk still perched upon my shoulder, and it was off to the home port to prepare the evening grub. But not before I saw the overly-amused guy from Long John Silver's going into Wally World as I left...and he was, once again, overly amused. I waved at him.</div>
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As per the past couple of years, Cedar Planked Lemon Pepper TiLAPia was on the menu (with Chicken Planks for the kiddos), Golden Lemon Butter Potato Medallions, Pirate's Booty brand shells (aged white cheddar) & cheese with anchors & (aged white cheddar) cheese, plus some greens (for seaweed salad) with some citrus dressing.</div>
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Then, we had to have the rum. For pirate day. Amm-i-rite?</div>
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So I made a Captain Arnold Palmer! Mmmmmm.....</div>
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Then we finally finished off the night with some delicious Krispy Kremes. Mmmm.....</div>
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All in all - it was a great & successful day of loot, booty & treasure! SO worth being dressed all over-achiever-like for it.</div>
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Even Teen Girl got into the act - we had matching shirts & near-matching boots. The Sea-Sick Crocodile wench is pretty much my mini-me.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">~~~~~~~~~~</span></b></div>
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Leading up to this, I knew that Long John Silver's was up to great things this year when I flagged people down on twitter to get ready for TLAP Day. Then, this went down:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUu2keNDV-gPN01oq_dPHp65AvCk1bChyphenhyphenA2mOQONgQkVsgfyf-KzW-00W9QKAb5S_Z8wclLMnbQAkGxCzIzZdEhRk1_NVIeoIwWOEShTUKhUktXkFg6kWA9TXzJZxXKn4g2pG290mkvjv/s1600/BeFunkyCollage_KK-LJS_Twitter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUu2keNDV-gPN01oq_dPHp65AvCk1bChyphenhyphenA2mOQONgQkVsgfyf-KzW-00W9QKAb5S_Z8wclLMnbQAkGxCzIzZdEhRk1_NVIeoIwWOEShTUKhUktXkFg6kWA9TXzJZxXKn4g2pG290mkvjv/s640/BeFunkyCollage_KK-LJS_Twitter.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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That's right - they were fighting to give me a pirate name! How awesome is this??</div>
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Of course, I was sharing my adventures on social media...and I forgot that LJS actually had a social media contest going. Well imagine my shock when they flagged me down on Instagram with this photo...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLUnsLI2D0yXgWaywnNMA5HYzhJQx0Z5sX6PhtS09x3y5MNQ8cupBDFvGmI-9bPIqFRIOcp1bMGmGgPKk0VtYiu9wMrBdZvOMPOTkmaLRM9Wznbd0M5XqrK_1Ze4RU_JgbISFIWhcM7Y6I/s1600/IMG_0146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLUnsLI2D0yXgWaywnNMA5HYzhJQx0Z5sX6PhtS09x3y5MNQ8cupBDFvGmI-9bPIqFRIOcp1bMGmGgPKk0VtYiu9wMrBdZvOMPOTkmaLRM9Wznbd0M5XqrK_1Ze4RU_JgbISFIWhcM7Y6I/s640/IMG_0146.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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...to tell me that I could get a voucher for more free food since they picked me as one of their winners!!! (If you follow me on Instagram, you can go see it!)</div>
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** By the way, since dinner was covered, I enjoyed the free fish & hushpuppies the next day, while my boys enjoyed the fries - the kiddos aren't seafood fans & my hubby hadn't been feeling too well.</div>
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This year definitely made up for a disappointing TLAP Day last year. And I was SO happy to see LJS back on board, along with the fun liquid holders from Krispy Kreme!</div>
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I certainly hope more businesses & brands really hop on the promotion board next year. People get the free food...they post it all over social media AND while they are out & about, so it's free advertising for the day.</div>
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And you know I have ideas....</div>
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So...tell me - how was your TLAP Day?</div>
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<i>Stay tuned...</i></div>
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<b>God Bless, <i>AM~Erica</i></b></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429623157764566539.post-27816651205873725092015-09-15T13:31:00.003-05:002015-09-15T13:31:46.067-05:00AM~Erica Be Preparin' Ye Thar, Yet Again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTQqjL5n8QVdWsQXc5o5cdq5x_XuToWQDtYPt3PBiRsuELtGXzcCdc04Ehtgxb3Q2BXfAjedpcexyjOq2HBx4rcEqG9FGafUXGo1TaMWaF7kszcCncLnKEhDzZ3ZAbBtMMBLJSKFb_ccPH/s1600/AMErica+2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTQqjL5n8QVdWsQXc5o5cdq5x_XuToWQDtYPt3PBiRsuELtGXzcCdc04Ehtgxb3Q2BXfAjedpcexyjOq2HBx4rcEqG9FGafUXGo1TaMWaF7kszcCncLnKEhDzZ3ZAbBtMMBLJSKFb_ccPH/s1600/AMErica+2.gif" /></a></div>
<i>So anyway...</i><br />
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One of my favorite weird holidays is fastly approaching!<br />
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The countdown is on to September 19th, and I'm readying my ship, The Sea-Sick Crocodile, to be set for a course of adventure for International Talk Like a Pirate Day!<br />
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Since I'm preparin', I figured I'd flag you all down to try to do it, too.<br />
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First, I want to let you know that, as always anymore, Krispy Kreme is now synonymous with Int'l TLAP Day. This brand should not work on this day...yet it does. They made it work, and now you know you can get free doughnuts for talking and/or dressing like a pirate!! Now then, they do have a list of things that will work for them to consider giving you loot of a dozen glazed doughnuts when dressing like a pirate:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjekpz-xKc7B2UcXantgDo4EnbLWbxk4F4irz_Og-EdlskcKXTiAhNfN-LUV8LBOzWHGciO7tDr_vLjpIZU5JtazoHhbr5kNYK8BGe_gDnoQsRbvvCBVjwjkuyrOTpko91TGtju6t4TSVrT/s1600/KrispyKreme_TLAP2015_offer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjekpz-xKc7B2UcXantgDo4EnbLWbxk4F4irz_Og-EdlskcKXTiAhNfN-LUV8LBOzWHGciO7tDr_vLjpIZU5JtazoHhbr5kNYK8BGe_gDnoQsRbvvCBVjwjkuyrOTpko91TGtju6t4TSVrT/s640/KrispyKreme_TLAP2015_offer.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcgxtxkmEuz-8cSxbYxxQX3nVHIibZhOXOVA5y0IRLrWMYCTUJX_99u2_wlba9SzDASgbEtADzQG-lsmp27AdvLp36P306PneCwkYPK3wflpLH628n4PbdgPp4UkJ8FPCZAWzO43R1Z9k/s1600/KrispyKreme_TLAP2015_list.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcgxtxkmEuz-8cSxbYxxQX3nVHIibZhOXOVA5y0IRLrWMYCTUJX_99u2_wlba9SzDASgbEtADzQG-lsmp27AdvLp36P306PneCwkYPK3wflpLH628n4PbdgPp4UkJ8FPCZAWzO43R1Z9k/s640/KrispyKreme_TLAP2015_list.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Got it? Good! Or get a better look, <b><i><u><a href="http://www.krispykreme.com/pirate" target="_blank">HERE</a></u></i></b>!<br />
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Also, you can order a nifty 24 oz. drink & get it served in a souvenir TLAP cup!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDi-s2kib6oEi6f4EXDAa_C1q9JNkW2b7QTbn7T7oIdS6lyW6HyId_J_9F7iv9CL53SQ6NSc-tKUNV0KordLm0unFdsrdxpayIbFyjUiQ5RdzY5gzIo7clMWUEgMKQdKLufy30jSfDvZf-/s1600/KrispyKreme_TLAP2015_cup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDi-s2kib6oEi6f4EXDAa_C1q9JNkW2b7QTbn7T7oIdS6lyW6HyId_J_9F7iv9CL53SQ6NSc-tKUNV0KordLm0unFdsrdxpayIbFyjUiQ5RdzY5gzIo7clMWUEgMKQdKLufy30jSfDvZf-/s640/KrispyKreme_TLAP2015_cup.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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You can even get an awesome pirate mug from Krispy Kreme to enjoy your morning grog in, too!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXqmSLGfYXJj_ovkVlTn-AY-OZX9wWgguF0pAZtaZpZ0WZEyfSZYxKAWk2n8c_az7vuK8VoFachleEOPBV6jV_m8xMeDlC5SixFHzWHA5X3eD6ROovnwlDczsazSccyT6oxkpOSkNOdCm2/s1600/KrispyKreme_TLAP2015_mug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXqmSLGfYXJj_ovkVlTn-AY-OZX9wWgguF0pAZtaZpZ0WZEyfSZYxKAWk2n8c_az7vuK8VoFachleEOPBV6jV_m8xMeDlC5SixFHzWHA5X3eD6ROovnwlDczsazSccyT6oxkpOSkNOdCm2/s640/KrispyKreme_TLAP2015_mug.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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But now the question is whether or not you can take in other great offers from other brands & businesses. Last year, it seemed like only Krispy Kreme was going to celebrate. But now there's a couple more on board!<br />
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As it turns out, Long John Silvers appears to be back on board with the day! YAY! After a couple of years of giving free fish to those who ordered like a pirate, they walked the plank last year. My guess is that they got some backlash from backing out of the day, so they came back in strong participatory manner this year! And, they took note from Krispy Kreme.<br />
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<br />
Check out what more Long John Silver's has on their TLAP page, <b><i><u><a href="http://www.ljsilvers.com/tlap" target="_blank">HERE</a></u></i></b>!<br />
<br />
So that's exciting! As far as I can tell, Captain D's is not doing anything. Which is a disappointment. I hope they learn a lesson from this & climb aboard next year!<br />
<br />
I haven't seen anything from Joe's Crab Shack or Red Lobster, either. They are missing a great opportunity, for sure, too!<br />
<br />
However, one of my favorite brands right now is Pirates Brands. I've talked about them before, but I'm super excited that they are in on the TLAP Day fun! YAY!<br />
<br />
Check out their TLAP Day portion of their website, <b><i><u><a href="http://www.piratebrands.com/talklikeapirate" target="_blank">HERE</a></u></i></b>! And make sure to grab some Pirate's Booty!<br />
<b><i>**NOTE:</i></b> Not grabbing a pirate's booty. That's something totally different.<br />
<br />
Or you can get inspired from what I've done in past years by checking out what I've done before, <b><i><u><a href="http://am-ericasezso.blogspot.com/search/label/TLAP%20Day" target="_blank">HERE</a></u></i></b>.<br />
<br />
So...who's ready for International Talk Like a Pirate Day? Aye-yam!<br />
<br />
<i>Stay tuned...</i><br />
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<b>God Bless, <i>AM~Erica</i></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429623157764566539.post-46571926455322334442015-09-10T19:51:00.000-05:002015-12-01T12:49:42.828-06:00World Suicide Prevention Day & AM~Erica Still Struggles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRnFSB3_HkscYFaiStgd9lzcVWwRU4UZzQa50mPzB9EOVcyWtX9g4kobI6BXrAFQCbvAerfL8SUi321-eKbqijBe1wjW_cyoLieowff8FQdmnQ1qX0SiCLt8LZbvgnma6y3Spw0IBPd5M_/s1600/AMErica+2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRnFSB3_HkscYFaiStgd9lzcVWwRU4UZzQa50mPzB9EOVcyWtX9g4kobI6BXrAFQCbvAerfL8SUi321-eKbqijBe1wjW_cyoLieowff8FQdmnQ1qX0SiCLt8LZbvgnma6y3Spw0IBPd5M_/s1600/AMErica+2.gif" /></a></div>
<i>So anyway...</i><br />
<br />
Only if you are very new to at least a glimpse of my world, or you choose to not to pay attention, would you NOT know about my advocacy, maybe.<br />
<br />
Today is September 10th, which is World Suicide Prevention Day. Today we continue raise awareness about the epidemic of those who take their lives due to the fatal symptom of suicide that can come with most mental illnesses. Plus with the amount of types of bullying that attempts to drag down another human being, it can lead to the feeling of self worthlessness, and can lead to the same outcome.<br />
<br />
Today I make my yearly plea (because I usually post on this day, for sure, each year) to break the stigma around suicide. Let's talk about this.<br />
<br />
Recently, I made sure to just talk about it (<b><i><u><a href="http://am-ericasezso.blogspot.com/2015/07/america-is-talking-suicide.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></u></i></b>). It's a part of my drive to make sure what has happened to/with me is known and very real. I'm also not the only one who deals with this. Even though it can feel very lonely.<br />
<br />
I am usually ready to jump on National Suicide Prevention Week. Blogs, stats, quotes, sites, tips, etc...but I haven't done as well this week. As I was trying to keep stuff out there, I have been struggling this week. That empty sadness settled in, and I was having issues just functioning. And it does lead to not even wanting to talk about what you are struggling with...during a week we need to be talking about it!<br />
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With that said, I want to apologize for not being more forthright with info this week, but hope you understand at the same time.<br />
<br />
I'll be OK. And here to tell you that you are not alone.<br />
<br />
Do you remember last year when I did the Out of the Darkness memory walk with Team SOLOS? (reminder <b><i><u><a href="http://am-ericasezso.blogspot.com/2014/10/america-walked-out-of-darkness.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></u></i></b>) Well I'm doing it again. If you would look to help out & give to the cause, let's get funds raised so it can go to help go toward resources, research & awareness to lead to abolishing suicide! Wouldn't it be wonderful to see this in our lifetime? You can help me out by clicking the photo, below.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUQYCCqs0VNuVtlpCJiL-W7OVTP_ICD5x3DxW78UCtfglbmQ9-ZtURrgwAAdsQbUSjoe2bV4GVrPGUigRGDXm0qCSdFGf0VvT-vlO9klT03kPoSuYn3CHNm3w-8KPhyFV8E4wWNTFnkvW/s320/HeadShot_me_3a.jpg" width="239" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #666666;">Click this photo for my AFSP Out of the Darkness<br />fundraising page & story.</span></i></b></td></tr>
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<br />
In the meantime, please be sure to check out my collection of blogs about my own struggles, failed attempt, and other info, <b><i><u><a href="http://am-ericasezso.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></u></i></b>.<br />
<br />
And thank you for hanging with me. I am a bit out of sorts it seems today. But I wanted to try to continue to get any info I can out there about suicide as I do my best to keep the awareness up. I will try to do better in the future. Because I plan on there being a future.<br />
<br />
<i>Stay tuned...</i><br />
<br />
<b>God Bless, <i>AM~Erica</i></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429623157764566539.post-19836135244982334362015-08-26T13:03:00.002-05:002015-08-26T16:08:24.148-05:00AM~Erica is Rectifying a Grave Feminist Mistake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-PIEQGWZBjA0VaL1eKNDhSniv7KMTqiqG1ozrKVxEtHEp7G4MEpu23oROLCTKSJSzS0NGPipG4T89kglQu6M-Mawz9zEzXtOj6h7elvbJ46fOFn6cqmzdpf5VgKbhjDtkrodnPxlOC__/s1600/AMErica+2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-PIEQGWZBjA0VaL1eKNDhSniv7KMTqiqG1ozrKVxEtHEp7G4MEpu23oROLCTKSJSzS0NGPipG4T89kglQu6M-Mawz9zEzXtOj6h7elvbJ46fOFn6cqmzdpf5VgKbhjDtkrodnPxlOC__/s1600/AMErica+2.gif" /></a></div>
<i>So anyway...</i><br />
<br />
I honestly don't remember what made me think about this lately, but I began to re-research women's suffrage.<br />
<br />
In my inadvertent quest to have outfitting for nearly every decade (apparently), I had not really looked into much of the 1910's. I was looking into the style & the events of the time. And I was super pulled into the women's suffrage movement.<br />
<br />
Right now, I want to let you know that I do not live my life with politics in the forefront. Probably because so many folks have taken it to such extremes, it's been a turnoff for years. Just the ugly mudslinging of "human rights" folks & "Christian" folks. (Yes...I put those in quotation marks - neither "side" is acting like what they supposedly represent.) I'm also a realist; an optimistic realist, yet still a realist. I can see where there are positives of the ideals of both "sides", as well as the downfalls of the ideals of both "sides". Having it go all one way will never work for good.<br />
<br />
I am so against the koolaid drinkers. They just absorb whatever they are told & just become parrots of what is put in front of them without larger research on their part. And that's an insult to parrots!<br />
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Don't forget, I'm all about this coming together thing, wanting both sides to meet in the center aisle, pour the red & blue koolaid into a great big vat & make a lovely purple color.<br />
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Purple politics is what I go by. And...I don't rub it in people's faces.<br />
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Sorry...got off on a bit of a tangent. I digress...<br />
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<b><i>*ahem*</i></b><br />
<br />
I'm going to make a confession right now. I need you to stick it out with me. OK?<br />
<br />
As many of you know, I am a <b><i><u><a href="http://am-ericasezso.blogspot.com/search/label/pastor%20wife" target="_blank">PASTOR'S WIFE</a></u></i></b>. In United Methodism, the pastors are on an itinerant system & are appointed. Technically the appointment lasts year-to-year, but generally will be at least 3 years or so (can be longer - we're in our 6th year at our current church). Keep this in mind when I say that the pastors & their families tend to get moved fairly often, and generally to new communities, even in different parts of the state.<br />
<br />
I'm incredibly right-brained (which should surprise no one), and I'm easily distracted by squirrels &/or shiny things. Plus, I'm a major procrastinator. So I forget to do major things sometimes because my brain wheels are turning & creating things in my head...I...well...just forget.<br />
<br />
When I was 18, I registered to vote because I could. And I voted for a while, trying very hard to know what I was voting on. Like seriously considering.<br />
Then my hubby answered a call to ministry & we began our journey into him being appointed to churches in the Missouri United Methodist itinerant system. When we started heading to new communities, registering to vote would slip my mind until it was literally time to vote. That wasn't enough time. I would get really frustrated with myself, vow to change that the next day, then my right brain would kick in...<b><i>*sigh*</i></b><br />
<br />
However, I realized this as I was looking back into women's suffrage.<br />
I realized what these women went thru to get the right to vote. People! They were beaten, arrested, fined, spat upon, insulted. They went thru so much just to get a voice.<br />
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<br />
These wonderfully rebellious women who stood their ground, and spoke up, was a tremendous act to be able to fully claim their rights of citizenship! This is not well covered in schools or in conversation. I took for granted what fight was fought for me to have this right to use. And I'm embarrassed to say that...but I am. Because I'm human.<br />
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I won't be one of those people who will shame you if you don't vote...but you don't have the right to complain if you don't use your voice. I would complain about the complainers who use their 1st amendment right for major disrespect & personal attacks...but I also was careful to not complain where I didn't use my voice.<br />
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Today, as it turns out, is Women's Equality Day! We were given the right to VOTE on August 26, 1920! No wonder the flappers felt so liberated!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #666666;">A greeting I got from Facebook for Women's Equality Day!</span></i></b></td></tr>
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<br />
This is something amazing to celebrate! We are finally getting to a place where women are more respected. It's only taken 95 years or so.<br />
<br />
And we've come a long way, baby. We are moms, business owners, CEO's, senators, part of congress, pastors, artists, speakers, respected journalists & writers, idealists, welders, mechanics, technicians, engineers, gamers, code writers, bakers, soldiers/sailors, pilots, doctors, nurses, presidents of boards, serving on boards...we are in so many positions of respect & authority these days. And? We can vote!<br />
<br />
As I had to reread what we went thru to get to this point, my woman's heart swelled with pride. We are people. We are all people. We should all be treated as people.<br />
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And...if you are a citizen, I highly recommend getting registered to share your voice with your voting rights. Many fought way too hard for those of us, in the present, to not be doing so.<br />
<br />
Although I didn't realize today was Women's Equality Day, until today, I felt the push to go ahead & finally get registered again. And I did it yesterday. Strangely, in that moment, I felt liberated!<br />
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I am an American citizen, and I am going to use my voting powers for good!<br />
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No, this doesn't mean I'm going to rub my thought process of politics in your faces as much as many of you do in mine...but I will continue to keep it real. I want to challenge many of you to think, to research, to actually look into the "other side" of your views. And then, know it's about the greater good of the people...not just you.<br />
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I am a woman, I am an American, and I am once again a voter. Hear me roar!!!<br />
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So this is a perfect day to encourage any of you who haven't yet to step up & register, too!<br />
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<b><i>*UPDATE: </i></b>My daughter registered to vote today! WOOT! Preparing to use her voice being an American citizen! Way to celebrate 95 years of women voting!<br />
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Oh! And?<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">HAPPY WOMEN'S EQUALITY DAY!!</span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NQJZKbaDovsCrLwJ8hZHPKqawG2Dza9ERhJ4XT3SJCCdslEXA8e6oi049NoAmWT1uF1LxHE3GgHi-937AMjAiRVtaDVhQ5gKOBsNWsIFDpkpb2NboJ2WJfwb_e0L1EAJl_6cDqkPYAhi/s1600/confetti_canon_gif.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NQJZKbaDovsCrLwJ8hZHPKqawG2Dza9ERhJ4XT3SJCCdslEXA8e6oi049NoAmWT1uF1LxHE3GgHi-937AMjAiRVtaDVhQ5gKOBsNWsIFDpkpb2NboJ2WJfwb_e0L1EAJl_6cDqkPYAhi/s640/confetti_canon_gif.gif" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Stay tuned...</i><br />
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<b>God Bless, <i>AM~Erica</i></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429623157764566539.post-5105188483490256062015-08-03T09:34:00.000-05:002015-08-03T11:11:49.392-05:00AM~Erica is QT Trippin'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQleNnGsnp6M8YQNnZBgbCT-JlQPDeg1Wgl0xBt60vY0Tno5g2XxQSg5HYN142YDpm7ln8eQkjz6lN_8FZzfyT38ceN4MStlNvSJLdjtGdcPRAugG-TVe_euf1E-Vph7zYeKay62eu9xI0/s1600/AMErica+2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQleNnGsnp6M8YQNnZBgbCT-JlQPDeg1Wgl0xBt60vY0Tno5g2XxQSg5HYN142YDpm7ln8eQkjz6lN_8FZzfyT38ceN4MStlNvSJLdjtGdcPRAugG-TVe_euf1E-Vph7zYeKay62eu9xI0/s1600/AMErica+2.gif" /></a></div>
<i>So anyway...</i><br />
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Today was our first Sunday back to church after a couple of weeks off for "vacation." (part of it <b><i><u><a href="http://am-ericasezso.blogspot.com/2015/07/america-and-recruiting-reliance-of.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></u></i></b>)<br />
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On this first week back, I had to step up in some promo: in less than 5 weeks, we will be taking part in the DeFeet Hunger 5k Run/Walk. I stepped up promoting it, last minute, last year...so, with me being the "champion" for our church (the one designated as the go-to for race info leading up to the race), and being the "Champion of Champions" (I'm actually the one who is giving the other champions ideas on how to promote at their churches), I needed to step it up!<br />
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With how I dress for races (some of my cosTUTUmes <b><i><u><a href="http://am-ericasezso.blogspot.com/search/label/costutume" target="_blank">HERE</a></u></i></b>), and how last year's race went (reminder <b><i><u><a href="http://am-ericasezso.blogspot.com/2014/09/america-prd.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></u></i></b>), I knew I needed to create excitement, kind of like I do for Trunk-or-Treat promo time. (some of that <b><i><u><a href="http://am-ericasezso.blogspot.com/search/label/Trunk%20or%20Treat" target="_blank">HERE</a></u></i></b>).<br />
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Also, check out the wrap up video from last year, too!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/aRbzNCzgcjs/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aRbzNCzgcjs?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;"><i>Oh yeah...I'm the crazy tutu runner</i></span></div>
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So, of course I had to go over-the-top!<br />
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Oh yes...tutus (there are two tutus - with the top one lighting up), striped leggings, last year's t-shirt, and bright running shoes. This was going to do it!<br />
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It did draw attention, as hoped, and I looked delightfully ridiculous. But it was reminiscent of what I'd wear on the race course, so that's what I wanted to do.<br />
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Yes. There were a lot of comments, and it took some a little bit to realize the tutu lit up AND blinked. There was a lot going on.<br />
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But I did show up to church like this. Made sure to get pics of my set up, my outfit, and definitely my "shoefie" (shoe selfie) to have put on the De-Feet Hunger Facebook page (<b><i><u><a href="https://www.facebook.com/DeFeetHunger5kWalkRun" target="_blank">HERE</a></u></i></b>). A thing we're trying is to get shoefies on the Facebook page once anyone registers. Register, take a shoe selfie, post it on the page.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfGUzpMFX-mWCIwk9W7dfIb4BN00I9v3hdvyAhF60NaMDHpzqV13W7CjUKokdwFC6AI9Et5UbWIubJGVZkT4IoUvnCDt52gwAVehBk2TmaxtEcIJHl-bM9hAHfx6KwQJFCaFUoD-T2gRof/s1600/IMG_9534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfGUzpMFX-mWCIwk9W7dfIb4BN00I9v3hdvyAhF60NaMDHpzqV13W7CjUKokdwFC6AI9Et5UbWIubJGVZkT4IoUvnCDt52gwAVehBk2TmaxtEcIJHl-bM9hAHfx6KwQJFCaFUoD-T2gRof/s640/IMG_9534.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #666666;">My #shoefie for registering to do DeFeet Hunger</span></i></td></tr>
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Well, after church, I knew I had to stop to get petrol for my car to get home. So, I stopped at QuikTrip to fill up. Yes. In my striped leggings & fluffy tutus. Pumping gas.<br />
But it's OK. I don't mind. I think I got some odd looks, but I was prepared. This part is never a big deal to me. Work the weirdness. Ya know?<br />
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Then I realized...I try to get a newspaper every Sunday! You know...for coupons & sales papers (mostly for price checking & such), so I was going to have to suck it up & waltz into that QuikTrip like nothing is off kilter, in my tutus & striped leggings, to go inside to get that paper!<br />
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I pulled myself together, walked across the parking lot, and tried to keep an eye out for a vehicle that looked like it was about to head out. It was parked close to the middle of the parking spaces, so it was by the slightly inclined mini-ramp. You know the thing? Where it's painted off as a walk way, not a parking space, and you don't have to step up to the sidewalk? Yeah...that.<br />
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So I headed to step up on it while seeing if the vehicle was going to pull out. Well, I ever-so-slightly misjudged where I was not stepping up, caught part of the lip of the mini-ramp with my toe & tripped a little...<br />
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...I tried to catch myself. You know, a little trippage. Just enough to give myself a small heart attack...<br />
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...but I couldn't catch myself, so I double tripped...<br />
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...then I STILL couldn't catch myself...<br />
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...and I stumbled toward the door about 3ish-5ish feet more of sideways shuffle steps...<br />
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...and I could see this guy holding the door open for me as he watched in horror...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlCosBv61Uoeda6G02F3qHiZg0Xx5IC7-DqYKkAH4kBq8jq-L2ur2g1S64nc0mye_y4FTNHagEJ4dfUg_SpBujcHcGtzv_PD2g4XOmFtwMBicwiwcvue05ifz0zxHC3etecf1a1LofYF5n/s1600/WOW_onamonapia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlCosBv61Uoeda6G02F3qHiZg0Xx5IC7-DqYKkAH4kBq8jq-L2ur2g1S64nc0mye_y4FTNHagEJ4dfUg_SpBujcHcGtzv_PD2g4XOmFtwMBicwiwcvue05ifz0zxHC3etecf1a1LofYF5n/s320/WOW_onamonapia.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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...as I hit the ground like a giant sack of bricks...sliding ever-so-slightly toward the unopened door, but stopping about 2 feet short. In my red & white striped leggings and the fluffy red tutus.<br />
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The guy just looked at me stunned & asked if I was OK. I picked myself up as quickly as I could, told him I was fine when I entered the door he held open while I thanked him.<br />
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I began to realize there were about 3 people out there who witnessed the ridiculousness. Awesome.<br />
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But then I realized there were probably some on the other side of the glass doors who watched what happened. I did what I had to by just pretending it's what I meant to do. I could feel the sting on my palms from catching myself, as I landed on the concrete, along with the banged-up feeling I had on my hip. But just get the paper like it's part of your everyday, Erica! Geesh!<br />
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I picked up my paper, waited my turn, payed, and I could feel odd eyes on me. I'm sure it was just the witness of my fall & totally not the crazy getup I was in. Amm-i-rite?<br />
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But, alas, I realized I couldn't find my keys. *<b>GULP</b>* I was going to have to find them outside. So I looked on the other side of the glass door that I narrowly missed when I went sliding toward it, and I could see my keychain & keys laying close by.<br />
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As I started to open the door to get them, another guy opened the door for me & right on top of my keys. I excused myself & mentioned the keys were mine. He bent down to grab them for me, noticed the Ford keychain on them, and he asked, "<b><i>Oh, is it for the Ford Focus right there?</i></b>"<br />
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I said nothing. I took my keys & hurried away from the very closely parked Ford Focus to Bessie, the car I drive that used to be my grandmother's, and tried to get in as quickly as I could to head home with my full tank of gas & newspaper.<br />
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Oh how entertained those around me must have been! Oh the story they got to take home with them!<br />
Then a friend brought up possible video.<br />
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Wait...What?? Oh man!! There might actually be surveillance video of the weird chick in striped leggings & fluffy red tutus that looks like she may have escaped from somewhere, forgot her helmet, and needed someone to tie her shoes for her as she couldn't step up on a sidewalk without looking like she might be on something.<br />
<b>*FACE PALM*</b><br />
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Well, I'm definitely feeling that story. The soreness of the fall has in. But I'm still giggling at the looks of the people around & the horror on the face of the poor guy when he watched me hit & slide when all he was trying to do was just hold the door open for me.<br />
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I do believe my tutus have superpowers, but they did not save me today. They are more for speed...well maybe they cushioned my fall a bit. YAY for tutu superpowers!<br />
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I'm going to bruise. I'm going to be sore from tightening up my muscles in anticipating the fall. I'm going to feel where I actually caught myself in the fall. However, my ego is in tact. It was pretty hilarious.<br />
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If there's video, I will share it. Until then...I'll let you imagine what craziness might have looked like in your head. Go ahead & giggle.<br />
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This is when truth is stranger than fiction.<br />
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And don't worry...I'll have a different cosTUTUme next week. Maybe it won't be nearly as eventful though. All for the sake of promoting this race coming up.<br />
Intrigued? Go ahead & register, too!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8MSm3-X2w_YaKCb16V3JcWTzwvbJKRHlwrykTV-xFuFxXxsnZl-UUWLBPiRWHmH9MUh4lIx2rzGoI9px7-85eMOo0BwFC_wOlCx1D0tEr7m_pOnAYGfiR_NbOub4ueYddwygViUYKu_oU/s1600/IMG_9538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8MSm3-X2w_YaKCb16V3JcWTzwvbJKRHlwrykTV-xFuFxXxsnZl-UUWLBPiRWHmH9MUh4lIx2rzGoI9px7-85eMOo0BwFC_wOlCx1D0tEr7m_pOnAYGfiR_NbOub4ueYddwygViUYKu_oU/s640/IMG_9538.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #666666;">Teen Boy took this pic & loved how my right fist turned into a ball of light</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Come join me & then you can post a shoefie, too.<br />
<a href="http://www.enter2run.com/search/event.aspx?id=32066" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">REGISTER HERE</a> to run, walk or volunteer!<br />
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<i>Stay tuned...</i><br />
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<b>God Bless, <i>AM~Erica</i></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3429623157764566539.post-83902761936916985622015-07-30T10:21:00.000-05:002015-07-30T15:27:07.770-05:00AM~Erica is Talking Suicide<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>So anyway...</i><br />
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If you've been around for a bit, you know I've stepped up in my advocacy & education for mental health & suicide awareness. I've blogged on it quite a bit (reminder <b><i><u><a href="http://am-ericasezso.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></u></i></b>), but I just want to come out and talk about a few things. Just outright.<br />
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It's what we should be doing. Amm-i-rite? Having the open conversation to keep it real & honest? It's supposed help break the stigma surrounding it. Right...RIGHT?<br />
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Well, this is what we need to be doing.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #666666;">Found this perfect gem on Grammerly.com's <u><a href="https://www.facebook.com/grammarly/timeline" target="_blank">FACEBOOK PAGE</a></u>.</span></i></b></td></tr>
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I've said that I need to talk out my struggles so I don't act on them. It's what's worked for me lately. I'm not on medication now, and haven't been for a long time. That wasn't always the case. Trust me, when I was on my meds...I needed them!<br />
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Some people need to be on them all the time. Some don't. All of our journeys are different. We cannot forget that. What is working for one person doesn't mean it works for the next person. Just as we were all made differently, different treatments will affect us differently. I can tell you what worked for me, but that doesn't mean it will work for you.<br />
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Just like all the different mental illnesses & disorders out there. They are not the same! Many can have the same symptoms, but it's different for every person who has to live with any of it.<br />
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Much like those of us who suffer with suicidal thoughts. The thoughts I have, plus the means I would use in my skewed reality, might be very different than those someone else might think or try to use.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">*TRIGGER WARNING* </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">(means & methods of suicide to be discussed here)</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">~if need be, <u>scroll</u> to 'END TRIGGER WARNING'~</span></div>
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I was recently having a conversation with someone who had a run-in of sorts with a guy who was putting down those who have suicidal thoughts. He called anyone who brought up taking their own life a coward, then he said if he heard someone say that, he'd test their cowardice by handing them his gun to see if they'd do it. Then doubted they would, because, you know, they are cowards and all.<br />
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OMGoodness!!! Isn't that just horrible?<br />
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This is obviously someone who needed some education. I know the person I was talking to tried to explain to this guy that how it's not cowardice, but a cry for help. Also, this person asked the guy if he'd really be OK with someone taking their life by his accomplice of handing his gun to them...what if they used it?<br />
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I want to talk about this a bit more. About the means & methods.<br />
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When I attempted my suicide, I took a lot of pills. Not an overdose of one thing, but one or two of as many pills I could get my hands on in the house while swallowing them down with one can of Coke. I had enough pills to last me thru every sip or two of that can. And I do mean sips. There were no big drinks taken...just slowly consuming the pills & sipping enough liquid to get them down. I don't know what all I took, or even how many all together, but I do remember 1 or 2 Anacin being in there.<br />
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That was my means of choice in my skewed & blurred reality, and it all just needed to end.<br />
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I obviously survived it. So, I have lived experience. And, I know I'd never use that type of method again since it didn't work.<br />
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I also know what my next means would be in an upcoming attempt I would use. I don't want to! JUST. KNOW. THAT. But when I'm that low, I can feel it...<br />
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Here's the deal...<br />
If you know someone who has suicidal thoughts, they probably already know how they want to end things. So if you know what they have talked about using as their means...please make sure they cannot get to it...or that it would be difficult for them to try to use it. Don't leave the opportunity open to see if they'd try it! If that's the case, and they use the means, they are successful in completing their suicide because you didn't think they would...that's on you. Harsh? Yep...because it's true.<br />
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Now then, remember that guy that would test the cowardice of someone talking suicide by handing them his gun? If he heard me say I was having suicidal thoughts, and if he handed me his gun...I'd use it.<br />
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My original means was to overdose. This was even before I knew I had a mental illness of any sort...I just wanted it to end. But I didn't want to hurt myself. (Remember? I was in a skewed reality...and a teenager.) If that guy heard me talk suicide at that time, and handed me his gun, I wouldn't use it. Why? It wasn't the means I wanted or the method going thru my head. So I guess he would have thought I was a coward. Even though he had no idea what pain I was feeling...the hurt I was dealing with every day of feeling like a worthless failure. I just wanted it to end. But not by someone walking up to me with a firearm & telling me to use it.<br />
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Nowadays, when I'm low, I do sense the cold feeling of the metal barrel. I used to feel it against my temple for quite some time, but it has very recently moved position, but the same means, nonetheless.<br />
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This is why I cannot have a firearm in my house! And it's why I have the feelings I do about guns & it's connection with anyone with mental illness. (read it <b><i><u><a href="http://am-ericasezso.blogspot.com/2012/12/america-trying-to-give-direction-to.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></u></i></b>, if you dare)<br />
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But guess what. Just because that's what I'd use, someone else with the thoughts have a different means lined up. If you walked up with a gun to someone who is actually thinking about hanging themselves, overdosing, jumping off a high spot, cutting themselves, asphyxiation, or anything else...the gun won't suffice.<br />
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Don't get me wrong, there might be a few who might be willing to use any method "necessary", but for the most part, a method & means is already in their heads...and that's where the focus is.<br />
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By the way...that guy was part of a Christian motorcycle group. Think about that for a moment.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">*END TRIGGER WARNING*</span></b></div>
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I know that was heavy! But I hope it makes sense. We are supposed to be talking about this, right?<br />
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Part of why I wanted to bring this up, too, is the fact that we all can look for signs of someone in crisis. If you turn your back, pretend you don't see it, or prefer to stay oblivious to it, it could be a matter of life & death. Literally.<br />
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Words are important, especially in promoting a cause or a charity. I try to step up to track down journalists & bloggers who are careless in their wording in articles or on the news. I won't do it publicly to shame them, but will send a private message to them, if possible, to let them know about how words matter. But if that option isn't available, a public comment may have to be the route...if even that's allowed.<br />
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Recently, I learned about some more change up in wording & terminology. I'll share them with you, then I'm going to give my take on it as someone with lived experience. So, here goes...<br />
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The term "Warning Signs" is now passé. We are supposed to use the term "Invitation."<br />
So, if someone is showing signs, it's supposed to be an invitation for you to maybe take action in some way.<br />
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I have no issue with striking the alarmist word of "Warning," but I want to talk about "Signs" & "Invitation."<br />
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These are two very different things. They cannot really be lumped together.<br />
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If I am having a conversation with you about where my head is at or that I'm feeling low, that is the invitation. I don't do that with just anyone. It would be my hubby & maybe another person or two. But it's directed to anyone I'm discussing my darkness with, especially in the moment.<br />
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Now, just because I haven't invited you into my conversation, it certainly doesn't mean you can't spot signs of crisis. (reminder of the Five Signs <b><i><u><a href="http://am-ericasezso.blogspot.com/2015/03/america-campaigns-to-change-direction.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></u></i></b>) <b><<=== *<i><span style="color: red;">IMPORTANT LINK</span></i>*</b><br />
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The invitation is talking about it. The signs are what you show.<br />
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When you go to the DMV (oh yes...I just brought that up), you are invited to check in to where you need to go. Then you head to your place, but you can see the signs of what is happening for others there at the DMV.<br />
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Invitation; Signs. Two different things. Yet both are extremely important!<br />
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When you're driving, that stop sign ahead is meant for you. *<b>Invitation</b>*<br />
As you pull up, you can see the other stop signs or yield signs & you know what the others are supposed to do when they see them. *<b>Signs</b>*<br />
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Not necessarily the best examples, but just a thought process into the difference between the two. They cannot really be lumped together. But they can achieve the same thing in the end. In this case, it could be about life or death. Much like in the vehicles...if you ignore the invitation, or if the other signs are ignored, it could be very ugly!<br />
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Also, we are still having the issue of having the word "committed" paired with "suicide."<br />
Let me be clear: this continues to add to the stigma. It sounds like a crime has been planned out. This is NOT the case! And we have to stop using it, as well as calling out others (even media) for using this terminology. The individual died by suicide, completed suicide (I'm not fond of this one, but it is used), or took their own life due to fatal complication of mental illness. The fatal breaking point is maybe the worst side effect/symptom of mental illness.<br />
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The thing I do is commit to live...not commit to die. Let's not forget that!<br />
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Whew! There's a lot to unload here. But vital things in the realm of mental health/illness & suicide conversation & understanding.<br />
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The more you know, people. The more you know.<br />
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<i>Stay tuned...</i><br />
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<b>God Bless, <i>AM~Erica</i></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0