Actress Angelina Jolie reveals her double mastectomy procedure
Angelina Jolie brings awareness, through her celebrity, to the importance of women’s preventive health. She is a class act. I wish her continued success, blessings, but most of all, a long, healthy life!
Mother’s Day and Childfree People
I originally published this post two years ago, but I liked it and thought it was worth another look. My friends who are mothers have declared me a “Dog Mom,” which I suspect is one step closer to Crazy Dog Lady – a moniker I fully embrace.
Hubby and I do not have children. Why, or how, is no one’s business and not subject for a public forum. Suffice it to say, that in our mid-40s, we are not planning to start a family, as our family is complete.
This brings me to the awkwardness of Mother’s Day, and the exploitation….er, “celebration,” of motherhood. It has become a slippery slope like wishing someone “Happy Holidays.” My response when someone wishes me a happy anything, is to say, “thank you.” I don’t care to have a long, drawn out discussion of religion, philosophy, end-of-days, heaven, hell, bunions, facial hair, acne or explosive diarrhea. Although, as a Nursing Student I have an unnatural fascination with bowel movements. They are magical!
More awkward than wishing someone a “Happy Mother’s Day,” is the “do you have children” question. When I answer, “no,” there are two reactions. The cover-up “oh,” followed by uneasy silence, or the probing “why not?” My typical response is to shrug my shoulders and stare at the person, because saying “none of your damned business,” seems unnecessarily harsh. And, it really is NONE of their business, so I don’t engage in conversation about it. I simply don’t care to hear their thoughts about my personal life. Ironically, the people who are most likely to ask, or make unsolicited comments, are those least closest to me. Interesting.
Many of us mentor others throughout our lives. In my case, there are several women whom I have advised during incredibly difficult experiences in their lives. I was the “adult” they turned to for support and advice. They chose me, for their own personal reasons and I was honored to be their shoulder to cry on or first person to celebrate with. Did that make me a mother? <shoulder shrug>
Which brings me to Mother’s Day. What do you say to single fathers, grandparents raising their grandchildren, foster parents, gay dads, siblings raising other siblings? I still struggle with this.
However, in honor of the “holiday,” I wish EVERYONE who is mother, or serves in the role of a mother a happy day. May you be celebrated for your personal contributions to forming the next generation by being acknowledged for being YOU. (Free meals, coffee and gift certificates are also nice, people.)
How to Write a Book Review Like a Human (Cheat Sheet Included)
I write reviews for books that I move me, either positively or negatively. This post has some great advice for would-be reviewers.
Our post on scam reviews led to some great conversations and questions. However, there was one question that stood out above the rest. Over and over, we heard, “I think I sound like a scammer! How can I write a review like a human?”
Well, you asked and we delivered. Here are our tips to writing reputable, honest, and real reviews.
If you bought the book, show it.
Several ebookstores will distinguish your review if you purchase and review the book on the same site. This is the first step to setting yourself apart from the scammers. Amazon has Amazon Verified Purchase: “Customers reading an Amazon Verified Purchase review can use this information to help them decide which reviews are most helpful in their purchasing decisions.” On Amazon, the Amazon Verified Purchase tag will appear below the name of the reviewer.
Smashwords goes even…
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Grace Under Pressure – One of the Benefits of Sororities
As a lifelong “Sorority Girl” and advisor for 13 years, I am often asked about the benefits of sororities. The public is quick to embrace the image of Sorority Women as entitled or shallow, but fails to realize that most of our leaders, both women and men, have a Greek letter affiliations. For many of us, our first contact with many of the complex issues we face, and will face, in our professional lives were experienced in our college Chapters.
I learned how to manage my time and balance my classes, job, sorority commitments and personal life, whether I wanted to, or not. My Sorority taught me how to maximize my time, because time was a limited commodity. I also practiced talking to difficult people, or people I would not normally approach, on a regular basis. This skill, learned through Rush/Recruitment, has helped me throughout my life. Each time I have accepted a new job or promotion, I had to market myself, time and time again – just like I did, during Rush.
I was disgusted when I read the article criticizing Kelsey Williams, a professional NBA, fit, beautiful cheerleader by a female sports “blogger.” The “blogger” did not criticize Ms. Williams’ ability to perform her job, instead she chose to ridicule Ms. Williams’ appearance. Then, the blog post went viral, exposing Ms. Williams to the ugliness found on Social Media. The “blogger” has since been fired, and rightfully so. Sadly, Ms. Williams’ had to publicly defend herself, against this unprovoked attack. Her tweet about the incident “To be womanly always, discouraged never,” is a quote from the Chi Omega Symphony – a document I am intimately familiar with, as I have recited it for the better part of 24 years. I am also a Chi Omega, like Ms. Williams.
I was upset when I heard that a woman was ripping another woman for her APPEARANCE, rather than her job performance. When a fellow Alumna Sister pointed out to me, that Ms. Williams was a fellow NPC (National Panhellenic Conference) and Chi Omega Sister, it became “personal” for me. No one rips into one of my Sisters, without provocation, especially when the person is not woman enough to look her target in the eye, as she does it. Using Social Media to shame and ridicule others is called cyber-bullying. I call it cowardice of the highest order.
However, this situation has a silver lining. Sorority women of all ages, backgrounds and affiliations have rallied around Ms. Williams, in support. She was interviewed by “Good Morning America,” about the incident and was able to demonstrate her own personal strength and grace. Her actions speak to the positive aspects of sororities more than any movie or television show. I am proud to support her, and other Greek women, who understand the benefits of Sisterhood have nothing to do with cute t-shirts, dating and social functions, and EVERYTHING to do with learning how to become the best version of yourself – an empowered woman.
Enjoying a Rapp Pale Ale at Cajun Cafe on the Bayou.
Image Posted on Updated on
I was FINALLY able to relax on the patio of Cajun Cafe on the Bayou (Pinellas Park), and enjoying a couple of beers, after the end of Nursing Level III. Grades were officially posted and I have a little time off, before next semester.
Cajun Cafe is a local legend, and provides the closest to New Orleans, Creole and Cajun cuisine in all of Florida. It is the only place I have found, that makes boiled crawfish like you would find in Louisiana.
The Cafe also features items from local and craft breweries. I have found a new taste for freshly brewed, IPA (India Pale Ales and sours. Why order something brewed in a factory, when you can sample a delicious, handmade beer?
Much Needed Time Off
Once again, I volunteered at the May 2013 RN Pinning Ceremony. These are the students I started RN school with, until my life changed and I had to leave school. I may only be one semester behind them, graduating in December, but it feels like a lifetime.
The RN Pinning Ceremony is a tradition in most Nursing schools. For students who have already been through a college graduation, at a large school, like me, the Pinning Ceremony is infinitely more special than the graduation ceremony. Students are pinned, with an RN pin, by their last clinical instructor. The entire faculty and staff of the Nursing School typically attend, so it is very intimate and personal for the students. Each graduate takes the “Nightingale Pledge,” based on the Hippocratic Oath and in honor of the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale.
I look forward to my Pinning Ceremony, but for the next few days, I will celebrate those who reached this goal before I did. They will be outstanding, caring nurses who will provide holistic patient care.
Daily Prompt: Personal Space
My blog is my space to wax poetic, and otherwise. If it speaks to someone, I hope they comment so we can start a conversation. I like having the freedom to discuss or reblog anything on my mind, rather than limiting myself to specific topics.
If this were a “promotion” blog, things would be different, because the goal would be to enhance marketing rather than an outlet for my thoughts.
To Be Womanly Always, Discouraged Never
As a Chi Omega, I could not have been prouder of how graciously Kelsey handled herself. She exemplifies our Symphony, beautifully and is a fantastic role model for women everywhere.
I will forever be indebted to my sorority, Chi Omega, for the amazing college experience I had. The friendships I made during my four years at American University are ever-lasting … and I wouldn’t be who I am today without Chi O.
In the 12 years since my graduation, I’m always thrilled to discover that a stranger, a new friend, someone’s second cousin … is a Chi O, a fellow sister.
Which is why today, I’m sharing this article.
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Book Reviews – “Wrong Bed, Right Guy,” and “Chasing Mrs. Right” by Katee Robert
Book 1 in Katee Robert’s “Come Undone Series” – “Wrong Bed, Right Guy”
Sweet, sexy romance where the tattooed bad boy grows up before our eyes, into a good man, worthy of a lovely lady.
Book 2 in Katee Robert’s “Come Undone Series” – “Chasing Mrs. Right”
I wanted to know what happened to Ian and Roxanne, who were secondary characters in Wrong Bed, Right Guy (Come Undone) And, I’m a sucker for a tortured, military veteran, so I was expecting to like this story.
Holy cow! I LOVED it! This is case of the second book being hotter and more emotional than the first, in a series. Both Ian and Roxanne are dealing with deeply personal commitment issues and are wary of a relationship. Hot sex is ok, GREAT, even, but intimacy is a no-no.
So, both are caught unaware when they start falling for each other, effortlessly. They need to put aside their own baggage, to be there for the other one. I appreciate that Ms. Robert spent time allowing this part of their relationship develop organically. It was not rushed, and felt real.
I look forward to reading Two Wrongs, One Right (Come Undone) Nathan’s story. From the hints given in the first two books, it plans to also be an emotional rollercoaster.
Great series!
Reading, Drinking and Dancing with a Chaser of Snark 