Bethany, who doesn't have a blog, is an old friend (old as in, we've been friends for a long time, not that she is old!) She offered to blog about her adventures in taking a quilting class!
![](http://i743.photobucket.com/albums/xx71/kailibreanne/Blog/Design/Megg/Megg.png)
Bethany, who doesn't have a blog, is an old friend (old as in, we've been friends for a long time, not that she is old!) She offered to blog about her adventures in taking a quilting class!
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Labels: guest post
This is a guest post from Melanie, who writes about mesothelioma cancer on the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance blog. Though I have a personal vendita towards pancreatic cancer, there are so many types of cancer out there, and this is one that I didn't know much about.In this post Melanie will talk about journaling as a form of therapy.
Writing: Bridging Dreams and Reality
Think about the last thing that you wrote. Were you writing out a check or were you writing a note to a friend or a loved one? While we use writing for all sorts of trivial day-to-day tasks, what many people do not know is that it is an incredibly powerful tool. Through writing, we can focus ourselves and learn more about what we want and how we can get there. People who suffer from illnesses like mesothelioma cancer to arthritis, no matter the prognosis, can use the journaling and recording process to realize their goals.
When you write something down, you are putting something into the world that wasn’t there before. For example, you are going to find that there is a big difference between writing something and simply thinking it or telling someone. If you write something down, you will find that there is now a tangible reminder of your goal. It won’t be something that you have to keep foremost in your mind. Instead, you now have an external thing telling you to start now and get yourself motivated.
For example, think of something that you want to do. It may be something mundane or it might be something that is totally out of character for you. It may be something like “put away all my clothes” or “go to Mexico.” Write out the desire and look at it. Suddenly, it is something that you can touch and look at. Even if you look away, it is still there. Tape the piece of paper to your refrigerator, your mirror or any other place that you look at often. Every time you pass by that piece of paper, look at it. It serves as a legitimate reminder of what you want to do.
Everyone knows that life is hard. Things come up that we did not expect, and we find that we may be struggling or flailing. The problem is that so many people are not struggling towards a goal. Instead, they are flailing their way towards a number of things, and these things sometimes pull them in different directions. Psychology today states that journaling your goals and your dreams will allow you to figure out what’s going on in your life. This is a good way to help you figure out what you’ve been doing and where you want to go from here.
Journaling is not something that you do instead of doing what you want. Instead, it is the thing that allows you to take the first step towards your dreams. You are going to be getting started with your dreams when you write them down, whether it is on a piece of paper or in a diary designated for the purpose. They say that a journey of ten thousand miles starts with a single step, and that getting started is the hard part, so take your first step today!
When you want to get away from the things that have been troubling you, and you want to learn more about how to start moving towards your goals, consider what journaling and recording your desires can do for you!
For more information on Mesothelimoa cancer, visit the MCA blog.
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Labels: guest post
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Labels: guest post
"She had forgotten that summer would come again, that the green would spread over the frozen fields, that the earth would be turned up to the sun and the seed sown, and that the meadows would renew themselves. Was this what strengthened these New Englanders to endure the winter, the knowledge that summer's return would be all the richer for the waiting?"
The Witch of Blackbird Pond
I chose this quote for this post for a couple reasons. One, I absolutely love it. Two, I'm from New England, and I just love the meaning behind the quote. Three, it sort of goes with what I'm going to talk about.
Hey, it's a good quote!
Anyway, as you're reading this, we're on our way to Hawaii!!
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Labels: living frugally, vacation
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Labels: living frugally
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Labels: kitty
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Labels: 52 letter challenge
Day 16 is your favorite professor.
One of the things I love about these books is the fact that, while the kids don't have a lot of depth because they're children (growing up), the adults have deeper back stories which I've always loved reading about.
I think my favorite professor would be Professor Lupin. Although he's not technically a professor, just hired for a year, I've always had a soft spot for him. I absolutely love the way he acts towards Harry. He's kind and gentle, and it's touching. I love the fact that he knew James, because I do love their relationship.
I do not love what happens to Lupin at the end of the last book, but that's a whole other post for another time.
Lupin provides a little backstory for Harry about what his father was like as a kid, going to Hogwarts. And of course I enjoy, in a pitying way, the backstory of how Lupin became a werewolf.
Lupin represents so much to Harry, but he is especially representitive of a link to his father, for the first time in Harry's life.
Plus, Lupin's classes sound fun!
Who is your favorite professor?
Day 1: What's your favorite book? Why?
Day 2: What's your favorite movie? Why?
Day 3: What frustrated you most about the film adaptations?
Day 4: Who is your least favorite female character? Why?
Day 5: Who is your favorite male character? Why?
Day 6: What house are you in?
Day 7: Who is your favorite female character?
Day 8: What do you think would be your favorite lesson?
Day 9: Who is your least favorite male character? Why?
Day 10: Horcruxes or Hallows?
Day 11: What character would you say you are most like?
Day 12: What's your favorite ship?
Day 13: What's your least favorite movie?
Day 14: Death Eater or the DA?
Day 15: Who would be your best friend at Hogwarts?
Day 16: Who's your favorite professor?
Day 17: What's your least favorite book? Why?
Day 18: Do you prefer the books or films?
Day 19: What is your favorite chapter?
Day 20: What part of the books always makes you cry?
Day 21: If you could bring one character back to life, who would it be?
Day 22: Are there any scenes you wished would have been put in the films?
Day 23: Nineteen years later. Are you happy how the series turned out?
Day 24: What's your favorite spell?
Day 25: Would you rather own The Invisibility Cloak, The Resurrection Stone or The Elder Wand?
Day 26: Who is your favorite villain character? Why?
Day 27: Who is your favorite Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher?
Day 28: What would your patronus be?
Day 29: What is your favorite line in the books?
Day 30: What effect has Harry Potter had on your life?
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Labels: 30 day harry potter challenge
You may recall that I have a lovely list of house goals for 2012? Well, I am pleased to report that I have actually completed three of those goals!
Goal: Sell the futon in the office.
Goal: Find a suitable futon replacement.
Goal: Hang the Dark Side of the Moon picture (this was actually one of last year's goals. Oops.)
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Labels: craigslist, house
Day 15 is who would be your best friend at Hogwarts?
I've touched on this before, briefly in another question. My best friend(s) would be Harry, Ron and Hermione.
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Labels: 30 day harry potter challenge
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To take care of a little business first, the winner of the scrapbook software giveaway is GreatGazoo! You have been contacted!
Didn't win? Don't worry! I have a code for $10 off so you can get the software for $29.97 instead of $39.97! Use the code: STMMMS57677 Good deal, and it never expires!
Anyway...
Day 14 is Death Eater or DA?
For me, the choice is simple. The DA. I can't help it, I'm a good girl at heart!
I love the defense spells that Harry teaches in the DA classes. Defense Against the Dark Arts would be my favorite class, after Potions, I think. Thus, it only makes sense that I would choose the good side...the DA.
I don't think there's much more to expound on, in this question, so I'll ask you...Death Eaters or DA?
Day 1: What's your favorite book? Why?
Day 2: What's your favorite movie? Why?
Day 3: What frustrated you most about the film adaptations?
Day 4: Who is your least favorite female character? Why?
Day 5: Who is your favorite male character? Why?
Day 6: What house are you in?
Day 7: Who is your favorite female character?
Day 8: What do you think would be your favorite lesson?
Day 9: Who is your least favorite male character? Why?
Day 10: Horcruxes or Hallows?
Day 11: What character would you say you are most like?
Day 12: What's your favorite ship?
Day 13: What's your least favorite movie?
Day 14: Death Eater or the DA?
Day 15: Who would be your best friend at Hogwarts?
Day 16: Who's your favorite professor?
Day 17: What's your least favorite book? Why?
Day 18: Do you prefer the books or films?
Day 19: What is your favorite chapter?
Day 20: What part of the books always makes you cry?
Day 21: If you could bring one character back to life, who would it be?
Day 22: Are there any scenes you wished would have been put in the films?
Day 23: Nineteen years later. Are you happy how the series turned out?
Day 24: What's your favorite spell?
Day 25: Would you rather own The Invisibility Cloak, The Resurrection Stone or The Elder Wand?
Day 26: Who is your favorite villain character? Why?
Day 27: Who is your favorite Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher?
Day 28: What would your patronus be?
Day 29: What is your favorite line in the books?
Day 30: What effect has Harry Potter had on your life?
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Labels: 30 day harry potter challenge
I joined Fabulous but Evil's Valentine's Day Swap and it was so much fun! I love Valentine's day for the simple reason that I love HEARTS!
I was paired with Annahita and told her that I love hearts and she complied!
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Labels: gift swap
Day 13 is my least favorite movie.
This one was difficult, because while the movies are completely different from the books, I do love them. At first I thought my least favorite was the 5th movie, because I wasn't a fan of the 5th book, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Then I realized that this is possibly because I haven't seen that movie very many times.
Then I thought maybe it was the 4th movie, because there was just too much expounding on plot lines that weren't actually in the book. Then I remembered the graveyard scene, and the scene where Harry comes back, in front of the whole school, with Cedric's dead body (oops, spoilers! It's been long enough). Horrible as it sounds, I love that scene, and the music that goes along with it.
Finally, I thought maybe it was the 2nd movie, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. This is one of my least favorite books, and the movie has always seemed more childish than the others. With the exception of the first movie, of course, but I almost feel obligated to like that movie, because it's the first one! Try as I might, though, I can't hate the 2nd movie either. The actor's relationships are building, and the movie really shows them coming into their characters for the first time.
Finally, I decided that I don't actually have a least favorite movie. I love all of them for different reasons, and I don't like all of them for different reasons. When you separate the movies and the books, it's difficult for me to not like any of them because, like the books, I love and dislike each for very different reasons.
Do you have a least favorite movie?
Day 1: What's your favorite book? Why?
Day 2: What's your favorite movie? Why?
Day 3: What frustrated you most about the film adaptations?
Day 4: Who is your least favorite female character? Why?
Day 5: Who is your favorite male character? Why?
Day 6: What house are you in?
Day 7: Who is your favorite female character?
Day 8: What do you think would be your favorite lesson?
Day 9: Who is your least favorite male character? Why?
Day 10: Horcruxes or Hallows?
Day 11: What character would you say you are most like?
Day 12: What's your favorite ship?
Day 13: What's your least favorite movie?
Day 14: Death Eater or the DA?
Day 15: Who would be your best friend at Hogwarts?
Day 16: Who's your favorite professor?
Day 17: What's your least favorite book? Why?
Day 18: Do you prefer the books or films?
Day 19: What is your favorite chapter?
Day 20: What part of the books always makes you cry?
Day 21: If you could bring one character back to life, who would it be?
Day 22: Are there any scenes you wished would have been put in the films?
Day 23: Nineteen years later. Are you happy how the series turned out?
Day 24: What's your favorite spell?
Day 25: Would you rather own The Invisibility Cloak, The Resurrection Stone or The Elder Wand?
Day 26: Who is your favorite villain character? Why?
Day 27: Who is your favorite Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher?
Day 28: What would your patronus be?
Day 29: What is your favorite line in the books?
Day 30: What effect has Harry Potter had on your life?
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Labels: 30 day harry potter challenge
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Labels: love
When I saw that From Mrs. To Mama was doing a love story link up, I knew I had to join! Mostly because I just love talking about my wonderful husband!
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Labels: love
Day 12 is your favorite ship.
Before I start this post, I want to mention that I've decided to go against what I have always felt to be right. I'm posting twice in one day. The reason for this is that if I don't, I will never get through this challenge. So I'll post my Harry Potter challenge after my "regular" blog posts. So come back later for Harry Potter!
For those of you who don't read fan fiction, ships are the "relationships" that you like the most. Gay and lesbian ships are typically called slash. All ships are abbreviated. There's your geek trivia for the day!
I ship Harry/Hermione (aka, H/Hr).
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Labels: 30 day harry potter challenge
I love my job...usually.
Last week I was frustrated.
I was stressed because in the last pay period I worked 4 out of 10 days.
My lead teacher can be pompous and often doesn't let me take the lead even when I request it. Sometimes she talks down to me. Often she doesn't listen to my ideas, or takes them over as her own.
Hours are being cut, I'm working part time, and while we're cutting costs as often as we can, going from part time to full time has been a difficult transition.
The kids are driving me crazy, pushing their limits, testing us, and generally being rambunctious.
I've been wondering if I should be looking for another job, feeling like I'm not contributing enough to our family.
And then...something happened.
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Labels: deep thoughts, work
To the person who found my blog by searching "cancer fucking sucks", I'm sorry. I'm sorry that you were forced to search that phrase, and I hope you found something you were looking for on my blog. Or at least something useful. Or at least the knowledge that someone else understands.
Because you know what? Cancer does fucking suck.
Someone close to someone close to me (if that isn't awkward I don't know what is, but I don't want to be more specific) was diagnosed with two types of cancer, recently, and I'm not sure what the outcome will be. I don't think it will end happily.
It just makes me want to double my efforts in fighting. In any way I can.
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Labels: deep thoughts