Perspectives | Uniquely Yours Craft Journal

April is Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month

01 Apr 2015 1 Comment

by uniquelyyourscraftjournal in Perspectives Tags: April, Child Abuse Awareness, pinwheels

Dear Fellow Journalers,

Do you remember the ad slogan from “Smoky the Bear” from back in the 1960’s – 1970’s?

“ONLY YOU CAN PREVENT FOREST FIRES!”

I was reminded of this ad when I was on-line recently and saw an article about Child Abuse. April is designated as the month to remind us all not only of these insidious problems but that we can report and prevent them.

I wrote about child abuse last year. Since then, there have been many more horrific instances of the “problem” perpetuated by parents, family members, teachers, coaches and what I call sick and perverted individuals.

I am sure that the cases reported in my state sadly are reminiscent of yours – children left in hot cars in the summer, children left alone on winter streets, sexually abused children and teenagers – the list goes on and on. However, the instances of reporting are up and the abusers are being caught and prosecuted. The most notable case concerns the Grandmother and Step-Mother of a girl named Savannah Hardin.

By all accounts, Savannah was a happy, well-liked 9-year old girl Somehow she managed to separate her horrible family life from her school/social life. Her parents were divorced and her father was a contractor for a government agency serving overseas. Savannah lived with her Grand-Mother and Step-Mother. Her Grandmother was described by the Prosecutor as the “Drill Sergeant from Hell.”

Savannah’s “crime” was eating a chocolate candy bar Her punishment, netted out by “Attila the Hun” (my description), was to run around her house for over 3 hours in the hot Georgia sun. Despite the child’s cries, begging to stop,and vomiting, Joyce Garrand Hardin slapped and screamed at Savannah. Her Step-Mother did nothing to stop the punishment. Finally Savannah fell unconscious and neighbors called the police and an ambulance.

After her death, both women were charged and jailed. On March 20, 2015 (almost 3 years after Savannah’s death), the Grandmother was convicted to life imprisonment without parole. The Step-Mother’s trial begins soon.

These and many other instances break my heart. We have a beautiful, healthy, happy Grand-daughter. I cannot fathom how anyone could hurt a child. What brings me hope is that more and more people are speaking up and getting involved. During the month of April and throughout the year, communities all across the nation are encouraged to share child abuse and neglect prevention awareness strategies and activities.

YOU CAN PREVENT ANOTHER CASE OF CHILD ABUSE IN YOUR TOWN!

Here are a few suggestions from G

Ask stores to put up posters
Ask your town’s officials for their public support.
Ask the Superintendent of Schools to get involved.
Promote the placing of the national symbols of blue pinwheels in your town. Ours are strategically placed in front of our town hall. In the 3 years, that we have been doing it not ONE has been stolen.
Wear blue whenever possible during the month of April but especially on April 11th.
Invite town and state social services to tape a local TV spot or forum.
Ask your Library Director to display books about child abuse.
Be a friend to a parent you know. Ask how their children are. If they seem to be struggling, offer to baby-sit or run errands.
Be a friend to a child you know. Ask about their school/sports activities.
Talk to your neighbors about watching out for one another’s children.
Volunteer your time and money for programs in your community that support children and families.
Finally locate and keep phone numbers to report.

If you need more information, you can email me or contact your state department of social services.

Sallie

Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given

To Sallie and uniquelyyourscraftjournal with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

You may reach Sallie at uniquelyyourscraftjournal@outlook.com

10 Things to do

18 Mar 2015 Comments Off on 10 Things to do

by uniquelyyourscraftjournal in Perspectives Tags: Happiness, improve your life, mediate, sleep

Dear Fellow Journalers,

Back last year, I read a fascinating article about 10 things to do to improve your life. I’m all about changing and improving – that’s why I create. So here are the suggestions:

1. Get out in nature. Actually, I kind of like this idea. You don’t have smog, honking horns, just plain noise in general. Peace and quiet – time to think my own thoughts and hear my own voice.

2. Exercise. We all know the physical benefits but did you know that you could feel happier about your life by climbing those extra stairs?

3. Spend time with friends and family. A Harvard Happiness Expert (bet you didn’t know there was such a thing!) by the name of Daniel Gilbert was quoted as saying that “one of the biggest sources of happiness in our lives is spending time with friends and family.” Last year, my husband spent almost a month in the hospital over Thanksgiving and Christmas. There was a cancer diagnosis and surgery. There was also chemo. Friends from as far away as CA, IL, and FL and those close by were the angels that held us up. I now have a greater appreciation for family and friends and spend lots of time with both.

4. Express Gratitude – remember to practice random acts of kindness and give back to your community.

5. Mediate. Being quiet in the moment can still your anxious heart, help you focus and reduce tension. Even if you’re not religious, prayer is a type of mediation.

6. Get enough sleep. Burning the candle at both ends can wear you out and your immune system can melt down.

7. Challenge yourself to learn more things; take a risk; sit next to an unknown person in your company and try reading a book from a different genre.

8. Know greater joy in your family and your world. When you know what happiness is and share it, you become a Happiness Ambassador.

9. Touch someone – this means hug someone. We don’t live in a vacuum and I really believe that we are not destined to become like Howard Hughes.

Be optimistic – the glass is 1/2 full; the grass is green on your side of the fence. If you choose to look on life as a place of opportunity, your won’t be a downer.

So, when all is said and done, these ideas seem pretty simple, don’t they? My challenge to us then, is to try these ideas out and let the rest of us know how it’s going. We can all use some more joy and happiness, don’t you think?

~Sallie

Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given

To Sallie and uniquelyyourscraftjournal with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

You may reach Sallie at uniquelyyourscraftjournal@outlook.

God gets mad

11 Mar 2015 Comments Off on God gets mad

by uniquelyyourscraftjournal in Perspectives Tags: kindness, neighbor

Dear Fellow Journalers,

A classic from G

Enjoy!

~Sallie

The other day the woman across the street was coming home from the grocery store. (I just happened to looking out the window) It was a cold, windy, rainy day here in old Ct. I noticed she had a bit of a struggle with her packages, her car door, and the young grandchild in tow.

Now it would have been relatively easy for me to bound across the street and help. Grab some bags and help her get inside. But I just didn’t feel like it, and didn’t. That’s when I heard from God.

Now God does speak directly to me. He kind of “shouts” in my ear, especially when He’s mad at me. “Kid, why didn’t you help your neighbor?”

Just too lazy God, I said, I’m sorry!

Too lazy, too LAZY!!! was His retort.

I’m sorry God. You know I’m a bit depressed lately, and I think it’s effecting me.

Sorry doesn’t cut it kid, and neither do those other excuses.

Now I got mad. (Not a good thing to do when talking with God!) I went off on a tare about how lousy things have been in my life lately, and why is He letting these things happen, and why doesn’t He help me.

Suddenly, the voice of authority spoke in my ear: You will NEVER speak to me in that way again! (Now I know where my Mother got those words and that tone!)

Claiming down quickly, I listened further to the voice.

You know kid, you’ve ALWAYS been one of my kindest children. Since you were a small child, you’ve always looked out for my other children. You’ve always carried out my prime commandment: LOVE ONE ANOTHER. That’s why I don’t like what I’ve been seeing lately. You heart is turning cold. This trend is not good, and I want you to change.

Aw God, it’s just because of the troubles I’ve been having lately. Sometimes God, I think You send me more than I can handle! I’m sorry if I’m less kind. I’ll work on it.

Good kid, but you’re wrong. I NEVER send you more than you can handle. I made you one of my strong ones so you could be one of my kindest children. The world needs more kindness. Besides, you forget—I’m always there if you need help! I’m your backup.

I had forgotten, God. I won’t again.

Until next Friday, BE KIND TO ALL, and remember, God’s there to help. Besides, you don’t want God shouting in YOUR ear!

Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given

To Sallie and uniquelyyourscraftjournal with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

You may reach Sallie at uniquelyyourscraftjournal@outlook.com

The Agony or the Ecstasy??

28 Jan 2015 Comments Off on The Agony or the Ecstasy??

by uniquelyyourscraftjournal in Perspectives Tags: cards for vets, Valentine Day

Dear Fellow Journalers,

A provoking piece from Marybeth. Enjoy!

~Sallie

The weather in our neck of the woods is rather bleak and dark around this time of the year. Everybody starts digging in for what promises to be a long, cold winter.

My husband and I are always searching for a fun activity to keep our youngsters entertained without resorting to endless cartoons or video games. At our wits end one year, I asked one of the teachers at the grade school what they planned for Valentines Day – which was right around the corner. “Valentine’s Day?” “Oh, you mean the day of the Agony or the Ecstasy?” “Excuse me,” I asked. She laughed and said, “that’s the day we teachers call it. The children exchange cards and some get more than others.” My mind traveled back to the days when I came home with more than enough cards for the entire neighborhood and the awful day when I came home with only one!

“How do you handle it?” She thought a moment and replied, “one year the class made cards for only their parents. Mrs. Stevens, next door to me, had her students make cards for the children at ST Bridget’s (the Children’s Hospital in town) and Mr. Cassidy had them create cards for the VA patients.”

My husband and I came up with a plan later that week and presented it to our children. The Maroney plan was to make 2 cards a piece. One was for a service member and the other was one for him/her to send to his/her loved one. There were several men and women who were stationed overseas at the time, so getting the addresses wasn’t that difficult.

As usual, the kids were enthusiastic about the project and soon the play room table was covered with construction paper and stickers. Two weeks later we mailed a large box filled with Valentine Wishes. The grateful responses later were overwhelming.

The next year, our children put a box in one of the local grocery stores asking for card donations for Vets. That simple idea grew to include the schools and today we still send cards to soldiers for their family’s year round.

Please check out the following web sites if the idea appeals to you:

http://www.ehow.com/how6766666_donate_handmade_greeting-cards.html

http://www.cards4heroes.com

or browse: donate greeting cards for military.

Oh, and Happy Valentine’s Day!

MaryBeth

“G’s addiction

21 Jan 2015 Comments Off on “G’s addiction

by uniquelyyourscraftjournal in Perspectives Tags: addiction, Dollar Stores

Dear Fellow Journalers,

My friend “G” is at it again. Here is a great post about his favorite addiction.

Enjoy!

~Sallie

OK, I admit it– I have an addiction– Dollar stores. You know– those stores you go into and nothing is over a buck. They sell shit– that I apparently can’t live without!

It’s amazing what they have in these places. Somethings are handy, some are whimsical, some are just junk. BUT– the visit and the search are ALWAYS fun and exciting. I get an adrenaline rush when I enter!

I can also tell you where the best ones are within the areas where I live and work. I embarrassingly tell you that my wife and I once spent $83 in one, and never bought two of the same item!

I usually go twice a week. On Tues I go to the two stores near where I work. Tues is buy 8, get 2 free. I LOVE that! Then over the weekend, we usually get to the two near where we live. No specials there, but that’s OK because the junk there is better than at the other two.

The problem is that during our recent “clean out, clean up” before renovations, we discovered that we had boxes full of Dollar store shit. Some we even forgot we bought. Others we forgot why we bought! Sounds like tag sale time. Everything a Dollar!

So my friends– A WARNING– STAY OUT OF DOLLAR STORES! THEY’RE MORE ADDICTIVE THAN DRUGS!

Stay away! They are the downfall of more than one Mother’s child. They sneak up. They say “Just buy this one thing– ONLY a buck!” Next thing you know you’ve spent your entire paycheck! You’re blowing the rent money! You’re taking food from your table! You’ll even spend your BEER money! You’ve just got to have more of this seemingly useful shit! Then you find you can’t walk by one. You’re always on the lookout for new opening ones. You’re trapped in the clutches of this hellish disease!

Anybody spare a buck?

P.S. As a corollary and further proof to heed my words: since I wrote this piece, I tried to open a dollar store salt shaker. It broke apart, and the jagged edges put a gash in my finger as big as the grand canyon! I bleed profusely! BEWARE MY WORDS!

Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given

To Sallie and uniquelyyourscraftjournal with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

You may reach Sallie at uniquelyyourscraftjournal@outlook.com