#Facebook #Woes & Cons...

I came across this article when I thought of a new subject for a blog post and decided to "Share"... what a gut-wrenching story !

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2012/05/is-facebook-making-us-lonely/308930/

"Excerpt from article in The Atlantic Magazine

In some cases it does.  I love seeing pictures from my children who live across the country, friends who live across the country, relatives across the country and their families.  Yes, it is great to keep up with family and friends you don't see every day, but the trouble is we never are far away from our computers or phones.  Yes, I take my phone everywhere, except I draw the line on the bathroom! Like the excerpt from the article states, "Among 18 - 34 year- olds, nearly half check Facebook minutes after waking up, and 28 percent do so before getting out of bed".   How sad is this?

Of course, my generation turned on the TV in the morning for the news and weather before heading out the door for work.   We got in our cars, without a phone, turned on the radio to our favorite music channels and had a few moments of peace while traveling to our workplaces.  We didn't need to talk on the phone, or text to begin our day.  I have gotten to the point that for years now I haven't turned on a NEWS channel because it is so depressing for me. 

Suffering from #Rheumatoid Arthritis is depressing in itself but I am just as guilty of grabbing my coffee and head for #Facebook to see what is happening with friends and family.

The workplace and schools are  saturated with workers and students checking their Facebook page during the day (when I was in school you couldn't chew gum!!!), grabbing their phones when they receive a notification of someones baby taking their first steps, or someone spewing their political views, who is getting married, who is divorcing, funny pet pictures, videos galore, shark attacks, who caught the largest fish, who died, what your friend ate for lunch, why you should eat the food you eat and why you shouldn't eat the food you eat, who graduated from pre-school, kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, high school, prep school, college, the next high school reunion, the latest "Housewife" (you know OC, NJ, BH, MIAMI, NY) who is getting married, having a baby or getting divorce, who had an affair, what she wore on the "red carpet", what plastic surgery they had and how many, where they went on vacation, syrupy posts about husbands, wives, kids, grand kids, the latest of "what to wear", how to decorate, "cute" quotes, prayers, how much we love our jobs, how unfair our bosses and teachers are, the first time Little Johnny pooped in the potty, selfies, "throw-back" Thursday pics, "share if you love your children posts", what businesses you should love/hate, what you can do for the environment, or "what" you are "doing" to the environment, self-help groups, what's new with technology, etc.

Now look to the right of your FB screen, and ponder whether you should click on the myriad of commercials (now FB takes all of your activity and helps you out by CHOOSING which ads you receive), or how to find your high school friends that you haven't seen in 40 years and who you didn't like 40 years ago, or which "friends" you should add by stalking your friends' FRIENDS.  This should keep you busy for six hours or more!!!

Now, let's see, I'm sick of seeing so-and-so's posts,  should I "defriend" so-and-so?  What the hell is defriend? 

Let's first of all settle the debate of "Unfriend" or Defriend"...from the horse's mouth:

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2009/11/its_defriend_not_unfriend_says.html

NOW, you have the dilemma of deciding if you want to see someones posts, DO I HIDE ALL THEIR POSTS?, DO I DE-FRIEND THEM?, DO I IGNORE AND SCROLL THROUGH THEIR POSTS because they will know if I de-friend them?  I don't want to hurt their feelings, but I don't like their opinions on most topics or their political views, so what should I do?  Of course, this dilemma just adds to your "everyday woes". 

NOW, if you decide to respond to a post, WHICH EMOTICON do I use in my comment to a friend's post?  In case you don't know the meaning of "Emoticon" here it is:

And if you are corrected by your granddaughter when referring to these cute little pics as "emoticons" when they are called "emojis" in her world, here is that definition:

So which one you prefer Emoji or Emoticon here are some examples:

Do I  "Heart" it?    Do I "Smiley face" it?,   Do I "Poop" it?    Do I "airplane" it?  These are all big decisions.  Do you want to do the "cute" thing or the "politically correct" thing or the "I love it" thing, the "I'm OK with it" thing or the "I hate this" thing?

Now I am totally bewildered over which Emoticon or Emoji to use.  I sit and scroll through all of these FREE pictures for five minutes that I can use to tell my friend how I feel about their post.  NOW,  I have TOTALLY FORGOTTEN what the post was about and NOW I really don't want to post a comment because I really don't care in the first place !!!

Back to the subject matter of Facebook causing loneliness.  For me, it helps me some days because I am lonely and it does keep me connected, whether good or bad.  Some days, believe it or not, it motivates me because I tell myself to get the hell off FB.  On those not so happy days dealing with #RA pains and anxiety, FB can really give me a boost.  AND there are days when I "flip the lid" on my MAC and hit the couch with an old movie and say NO to FACEBOOK and of course, wash, cook and clean, paint and crochet!

All in all, times have changed and most of us don't want to be left out of the "Loop" so we use what tools are available to keep us "posted".  LOL

So I say, put on your pearls, earrings and lipstick and have a great day with or without FACEBOOK !!!  There is always something to be grateful for, PINTEREST !  HA

"Steal Like An Artist"....GREAT BOOK...by Austin Kleon...

"Steal Like an Artist" by: Austin Kleon

"Garden District Lady" by Johnel - sold -

The Garden District Girl I painted came from inspiration from the painter van Dongen, I just put my own spin on his style.

"Doberman" - by Johnel - sold-

My inspiration came from an artist that showed her paintings at a local art show in my hometown.  I bought one of her paintings and still enjoy it.

"NOLA legs 3" by Johnel - sold -

My inspiration for this series of paintings came from Betsy Johnson.  I love her socks and leggings of which I have several pairs, so I used a backdrop of News Orleans newspapers, worked from photos I took on the streets of New Orleans and also added my own patterns.

"Pin Wheels" by Johnel (the  centers of flowers are rolled magazine pages

"Pink Vase" by Johnel (the centers of these flowers are yellow tissue paper)

"Martha's Table" - by Johnel -sold- (These were done with newspaper clippings many years before I discovered Christy Kinard

"Kelly & Kevin" - by Johnel - sold- also painted many years ago

One of my favorite artists is Christy Kinard.  I gathered newspaper, old scraps of paper, tissue paper and slivers of old magazines, mod podge and created my own flowers.  They are hanging in my home and I love them.

excerpt from "Steal Like an Artist" by Austin Kleon

http://www.christykinard.com/

"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery"

http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/imitation-is-the-sincerest-form-of-flattery.html


This brings me to a book I just discovered while whiling away time on Pinterest. Erika pinned a list for 10 books you should read and her review of "Steal Like An Artist" prompted me to head to the bookstore.   So glad I did.

Here is Erika's blog:  http://allthingseblog.com/14-books-to-read-in-2014/ and also a link to the author's website:  http://austinkleon.com/

I do love my computer, but there is nothing like picking up a book (armed with pen & highlighter) to really feel it.  And who knows, maybe it will make you make something, crochet, paint or just feel good.

This passage made we want to jump in the car and head for a park, be one with nature, as the saying goes !

We all love it when magic happens.  That new idea for a great project.

Wanderlust is setting in !!!

Keep a praise file.  Love this idea.  He talks about having dark days and he pulls out his "Praise File" and delights in it, but warns not to get too wound up in past praises for too long.

AMEN

"Marry Well"...my favorite page.   I am truly grateful for my husband of 28 years.  He is the "chosen one" for me.   He understands everything, doesn't agree with all, but the ONE THING HE UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES with is my crazy, creative self.  He has always stood behind me and pushed me into my painting or whatever my next endeavor might be.   He praises my work and puts up with me.  He is kind, loving and patient.  He loves our home, wherever it might be, and allows my creativity to spew forth on the walls.  He says he likes living in an art gallery ! 

NOW, go out and buy the book !  

Here's a link to help with that:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/0761169253/?tag=googhydr-20&hvadid=35086388124&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10267509561530677855&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_7sfdtixoyi_b

Like stumbling onto a pin on Pinterest and discovering a "good find" !

#Count Your Blessings...

Count your Blessings:

Link to "The Secret" - Count your blessings:

http://themagicofthesecret.blogspot.com/2012/04/day-1-count-your-blessings.html

When you are totally depressed, anxious, feeling down, emotionally drained, physically drained and worried about all life throws at you, what do we need to do?

Count your blessings.   Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis is an everyday struggle and when you worry, it brings more of the same.

While checking my email account Sunday, I came across an email from "The Secret".   It is always uplifting to read these articles but this one struck me and made me sit up and listen.

Self-help books are not usually my cup of tea, but the two that I keep going back to in times of despair are #"The Secret" and #"The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron.

When you are in the depths of anxiety, it is very hard to find the "get up and go", especially dealing with #Ra,  but somehow these two books help, that is when I dust off the covers and read a little passage.

Our landlord has decided to sell the home we live in, so we have to move.  The stress from just thinking about this move sends me over the edge.   We can't afford this move, not to mention who is going to pack this whole house?

The only place we have found that is affordable is missing one room.  So that means, down-sizing and getting rid of pieces of furniture that I like.   I didn't say "need", just like.  I have only a few pieces that I have collected over the years and I know that it is "only" a thing, but I have a strange attachment to some "things".

Time is slipping away and I need to have a garage sale, not only to purge, but to make a little money for the move.  So after reading my email from "The Secret", two days ago I began the exercise described in the article.  Hopefully, this exercise will bring a new light into my life and bring good things my way.

Just thought I would blog about this and hope it will help others with their struggles.  Being positive is not easy, but I need to try.  I am on my third day of making my Gratitude list.  Here is a little boost from the article to get you started on your list:

GRATITUDE !

Thought I would add a favorite dish my cousin gave me years ago.  When you are tired of the meals you make, try this Mexican Casserole.  It is easy and yummy and kids and adults alike seem to love it!

Bea's Taco Casserole:

Ingredients:

3 lb. ground chuck
2 pkg Taco seasoning mix
1 15 oz can tomato sauce
1/3 can water
1 can cheddar cheese soup or nacho cheese soup, plus 1 can milk
2 - 5oz pkg Mahatma yellow rice mix
grated cheddar cheese for topping

Brown ground chuck and drain.  Add taco seasoning mix, tomato sauce and 1/3 can water.  Let simmer.  Next, cook rice according to package directions, set aside.  Now in a small pot, mix cheese soup and 1 can milk, stirring until cheese is melted.  Spray Pam into Pyrex dish...I use an oval Pyrex dish that has deep sides.  Place 1 cup of meat sauce in bottom of dish.  Next layer some rice, then spoon half of cheese soup mixture over rice.  Repeat layer ending with cheese soup mixture.  Top with grate cheese.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.  Serve with taco chips, lettuce, diced tomatoes, grated cheese, picante sauce and sour cream.  Spoon taco salad onto plate and let guests add their favorite toppings.

This recipe is a nice change from tacos.

"Polka Dot Vases" by Johnel

#Good "#Griefing" ?

Often used humorously, when someone pretends that a situation is more serious than it really is.  Oh Man, Oh My Gosh, Oh Lord, Wow and Come On, are commonly used euphemisms.

Definition by: Wordwizard:

good grief!

by Ken Greenwald » Sat Sep 23, 2006 7:38 pm

Dear Legal, Don’t mind Wiz. He can’t help himself – he just has this thing (Good brief!) for men’s underwear. (<)

Mild or minced oaths such as GOOD GRIEF!, for an expression of surprise or horror, follow the Hebraic and Middle English tradition of avoiding the use of sacred words, such as God, by substituting words with the same initial letter. Thus for GOD these oaths substitute such words as George, ginger, Godfrey, golly, gosh, gracious, gravy, grief, etc., and By God! becomes By George!, Good God! becomes Good gosh!, Good gracious! Good gravy!, Good Grief!. There are similar such substitutions for Christ (e.g. cracky, cricky, criminy, cripes), JESUS (e.g. gee, gemini, Jeez, jeepers), LORD (e.g. land, law) and so on for DAMN, HELL, etc.

GOOD GRIEF first appeared in print in 1900, but it became especially popular since the late 1950s from its frequent use by Charlie Brown (1950), one of the characters in Charles M. Schulz’s comic strip, Peanuts. I would say that the expression was originally British since its first appearance was in Joseph Wright's historic English Dialect Dictionary (EDD) (see 1900 quote below) published in 6 Volumes from 1898 to 1905. Wright was Professor of Comparative Philology at Oxford University with a special interest in British dialects.

Now that I've given you definitions and examples using "Good Grief", here is my definition:  Grieving to come to a Good ending, so I guess it should be "Good Griefing" (Just love making up a new word) !!  Most of us have experienced the loss of a loved one, friend, acquaintance or a pet and have grieved.   The "Grieving" process is different for every one and lasts different periods of time.

My first loss was my cousin, who was my best buddy.  I was nineteen at the time and he was fifteen.  I suffered panic and anxiety attacks for years afterwards, until I was about 25.  They reappeared in my early 30's and lasted several more years.  I lost my daddy when I was 28 and my mother and my grandmother when I was 35 within three months of each other.  I have also experienced the loss of my father-in-law and my mother-in-law.  Panic and anxiety attacks can be triggered by a traumatic experience and sometimes, in my case, the culprit was also a thyroid problem.  In any event, I have been grieving for many years of my adult life.

When I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis at age 55, I felt much the same way I felt when I lost a family member, although I did not realize what was happening.  It wasn't until a couple of months ago (I'm now 62) that it dawned on me that I was grieving the loss of the life I had.  Not being able to do the simple things I used to do.  Feeling like no one calls because I can't participate in the fun things anymore and I feel like people treat me differently.

Then the loneliness creeps in.  I feel totally left out of adventures because they either don't want to bother with me or I am embarrassed that I can't keep up.  So no one asks me to go anywhere anymore.  It's so very hard for me because in my mind's eye, I'm fine, but physically I know I can't accomplish what I used to.  I am still the same person to me, I still like to laugh and be with friends, but I feel like they aren't there anymore.

I apologize to my family all the time because I can't get going first thing in the morning, or I can't lift that pot into the oven, or I can't get the lid off the pickle jar, or bend over to pick something up, or turn that light bulb, or grab the load of clothes from the dryer, or I have to rest, or vacuum the whole house or walk quickly up those steps.  And those things are worth grieving about after someone has lost the ability to accomplishment menial tasks.  Other people don't think of it that way, but I am grieving. 

This grieving process is so very hard.  I can be happy one minute and the next I am drowning in a pool of tears.

Photo I took in New Orleans

Grief

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Bereavement" redirects here. For the film, see Bereavement (film).

For other uses, see Grief (disambiguation) and Griefing.

A family mourns during a funeral at the Lion's cemetery during the Siege of Sarajevo in 1992.

Grief is a multifaceted response to loss, particularly to the loss of someone or something to which a bond was formed. Although conventionally focused on the emotional response to loss, it also has physical, cognitive, behavioral, social, spiritual, and philosophical dimensions. While the terms are often used interchangeably, bereavement refers to the state of loss, and grief is the reaction to loss.
Grief is a natural response to loss. It is the emotional suffering one feels when something or someone the individual loves is taken away.^[1] Grief is also a reaction to any loss. The grief associated with death is familiar to most people, but individuals grieve in connection with a variety of losses throughout their lives, such as unemployment, ill health or the end of a relationship.^[2] Loss can be categorized as either physical or abstract,^[3] the physical loss being related to something that the individual can touch or measure, such as losing a spouse through death, while other types of loss are abstract, and relate to aspects of a person’s social interactions.^[4]



As shown in the definition of "grief" from Wikipedia, we can grieve, not only for the loss of a loved one, but losses related to our physical being.  It is just as powerful as grieving after losing a loved  one dies and in some cases harder to shake.

 One of the things I am trying to do to alleviate this loss, is delve into my hobbies.  In my case, crocheting has helped and I am trying new techniques and stitches.  Watching how-to videos, reading new patterns and stitches has helped me a lot.  I guess it makes one feel better and have a feeling of accomplishment especially because I am grieving the loss of physical activity.  I also believe depression and grief go hand in hand. 

Here is an article I found today on my news feed on Facebook.   Touches on the grieving process for people suffering from chronic diseases...a must read.

psychologytoday.com/blog/turning-straw-gold/201405/3-things-the-chronically-ill-wish-their-loved-ones-knew

Photo I took - St. Louis Cathedral - NOLA

Photo I took - cross atop St. Louis Cathedral - NOLA

Grief is work but one cannot stop the process.  You must continue until you come to a good place and accept the worst and enjoy the best.  I'm just beginning my journey in handling my grief.  At least I realized what has been happening and hopefully, with a little fortitude and my will to conquer this problem, I can trudge forward and let myself go through the "Good Griefing" process.  Life is still good !  Just uncovered an old Art Journal and think I will continue it as a Gratitude Journal.  I enjoyed art journaling and it made me draw, paint and write a little each day which makes me happy.  So hopefully turning it into a Gratitude Journal will bring positive thoughts and a brighter outlook to each day.

Found this article on beginning a Gratitude Journal....it's a keeper !

Turn Pain to Joy: 11 Tips for a Powerful Gratitude Journal

By Louise Jensen 

here's the link:

http://tinybuddha.com/blog/turn-pain-to-joy-11-tips-for-a-powerful-gratitude-journal/

"Stella" one of the many things for which I'm grateful !

Back on the "Gratitude" Band Wagon and Tunisian Crochet

 Here is a link to The Secret website:

http://thesecret.tv/

Some of my favorite "Gratitude" Quotes

Everyone talks about gratitude but when you wake up in the morning with #Rheumatoid Arthritis, the first thing that comes to mind is not how grateful I am to have this disease but,  how do these joints feel today and will I be able to get up and maneuver through the day?

On top of this, try depression, going through a really bad time right now.  Really hard to carry on like I'm OK because I'm not.  I've started reading the daily posts from "The Secret" and it really helps with the negativity I have experienced of late.  Read the book and subscribe by email.  Seems every little bit helps when dealing with pain, depression and a chronic illness.

Sugar cookies- RA (rheumatoid arthritis) Sucks! May is Arthritis Awareness month.

Pinned from

cupcakeandthecity.com

 Learning Tunisian Crochet

My first Tunisian Crochet attempt !

On to better topics, I am embarking on another Tunisian Crochet stitch.  I just learned one a couple of weeks ago and it is great.  Have found some good videos on the subject and thought I would share a new stitch.

This video by Kim Guzman is of the foundation stitch which is used to begin Tunisian Crochet.

youtube.com/watch?v=H_6CRJJLltQ&list=PLoH3zXZBXpSNeMMlWqQNQJyH07Z40U54f&index=2

And here is her blog with all her how-to videos.  They are very helpful and easy to follow, great teacher.

kimguzman.com/blog/tunisian-crochet-its-time-to-learn/

Some of my favorite, reasonably priced, yarns are Caron Simply Soft.  It is sold by the skein, 315 yards, no dye lot, medium4, 100% acrylic and machine washable.   Is available on line from Ebay and other yarn distributors and also Wal-mart (link below)

walmart.com/ip/Caron-Simply-Soft-Yarn/21267540

and another site for yarn:  yarnspirations.com/yarns/simply-soft

The yarn I used on the pictured scarf above is by Cascade Yarns, called Cherub Aran, 240 yards, 55% Nylon/45% acrylic.  It is soft and luscious and easy to work.  I purchased it at our local yarn shop and thought you might like taking a look at their website:

http://yarnhousestudio.tumblr.com/

Yarnhouse Studio is so cute so I have to post a photo.  Planning on stopping by soon although I always get in trouble !

Yarnhouse Studio, Opelika, Al

Ready to go again.  Just started this scarf tonight and trying to decide which new stitch to tackle.  Will keep you posted as it progresses.

The Beginning

Go forth and be grateful...