Thankfully Chewed Up and Spat Back Out!

It was just one week ago tonight that I learned my cousin Marty passed away.... Since then to say my week has been surreal would be an understatement. Of course there's been the grieving when a family member passes away, but with a chaotic week I am not sure it has all hit home yet.... Things at the paper have been a little crazy - and this week was a week that highlighted it all - Chaos of deadline and trying to get the needed funds so I could get to Chicago to the wake made for the Tuesday from hell. The evening before I was at our local high school to cover an event that would also serve to help promote Lend a Hand - it was sponsored by Right Choice..a youth sports program here in town - Right Choice brought in former NFL and Wisconsin Badger, Cecil Martin, to give a motivational talk - the only requirement for the youth to attend was that they bring an item of "need" for the clients that Lend a Hand will work with - After the talk, Cecil took the time not only for a

If you read my blog a couple of days ago then you will already know about 2028....if not, take a look below: Now obviously this is a touchy subject to some, but most can agree it's one that needs to be addressed. In the clip above you see glimpses into the 18 years after a young woman, who was obviously unprepared , gave birth to a son when she was just a child...teen...herself. You see not just one life...but many lives spiral out of control...and you also see how it touches others in their professional careers...from teachers to police. Keeping that in mind, I sent the press release out from the producers of the clip...which is a public service announcement...to professionals in my community who deal with the cycle of dysfunction and bad choices in their day to day life. It was a long list ... teachers....a police chief...domestic abuse advocates...people in the district attorney's office...and others. A wide range of people who at first may have thought this issue doesn

It's Wednesday, hump day...that wonderful point marking midweek and the day after deadline day at the Messenger - the day we all at the paper look forward to....our down day - the day to regroup and get ready for next week's rush. It's our Sunday - It' the day I always say I am going to clean my house... Do all the things I need to catch up on... And it's usually the day I get absolutely nothing accomplished. Today started out like every other Wednesday for me.....sleeping in - sipping coffee..news on in the background and catching up on emails I've put to the side. Then the phone rang....... The Lend a Hand phone rang.... It was from another organization- they had a woman there that was in need of help. I told her I would meet her to see what help we could provide. I never know what story I will be walking into when I go out and meet these people. Every one is so different from the last. However something I am starting to notice...and I think I always real

I ask that you view the following video before you read this post. The video is a new release that I believe will leave you breathless - have you wondering what has become of our society that a movie such as this needs to be made. If you are like me perhaps you were thinking that you were viewing a trailer to a new film; a suspenseful drama. If you were like me then perhaps you were left with mixed emotions....and if you are like me, then you're a parent of a teen wondering just how seeing something like that video would impact their life. To me it's shocking that a message, like in the above PSA sends needs to be so gritty....so fatalistic. But then why shouldn't it? The more that I digested the message contained in it I realized that we too often try to sugar coat the world from our children....that "Just say no" approach that many of us grew up listening to. And if that is the case, then we should realize that a sweet and innocent approach to a real and oft

Every so often I hear from some of the sites I link to in this blog. Today was one of those days...I heard from Let Go Let Peace Come In - they emailed out their Google reports showing where visitors to their site come from....what city..what country...or where they clicked a link on another site... Often I wonder if the people visiting this blog are among the crowd I am trying to reach. I can see where you come from, when you visit but unless you leave a comment I don't know if anything on my blog actually touches you - HOWEVER - reports like the one I got today from Let Go Let Peace Come In tells me that the people...readers...visiting this site are the people I am trying to reach because they are reaching out to other like sites from mine.... COOL BEANS!!!!! This is what I saw today that has me just bursting.......... This is an excerpt from their report dating back to last Feb....they've been linked on my site since around last May or June... Our site is most visited thro

Eva Marie Speaks! Yes, a new endeavor for me - those of you who know me know that I speak..and a hell of a lot to boot - but this is different - I am finally taking some steps towards an idea I've toyed with for the last year or so.....promoting myself as a motivational/public speaker on how to go beyond surviving and towards living rather than existing. Wow!! That was a mouth full! Click the link above and see my new site in which I have just created last night into today. Now, when I look at it I will sometime think to myself... "Just who in the hell do you think you are?" A year ago that thought would have had me second guessing everything I did...and wanted to do - but now I can answer it.. I am a survivor that knows life will in fact throw curve balls.... In knowing that I also realize I am going to make wrong choices....missteps...yes, I am going to screw up from time to time.. But the difference between yesterday (figuratively - of course) and today is I know how t

It's only Thursday and I am more than ready for this week to be over and done with as you will soon tell by my disgruntle ramblings below It's been one of those exceedingly busy weeks, which is good for the most part because that means I am living...working..doing the things I enjoy...but it just so happens that this week has also been one that I witnessed people go through extreme pain...moment of crisis in their lives. And the world keeps going on......... Others that should care....don't..... Blind eyes turned...... This post may not make sense to some people as I have to be watchful of the details I give out - but to others the message should be clear. GROW UP! Just because someone doesn't agree with you doesn't mean they're out to get you... Just because you cannot stand the presence of another and their beliefs doesn't mean you should be able to twist things, lie...gang up...and attempt to ostracize while ruining their future hopes.. Voice your opinion

The Messenger of Juneau County - is more than just my employer, the people there have been now in my world for over three years, they are my co-workers and most importantly among the closest friends I have here in Wisconsin. Sure you've heard me moan about that pay I get as a part time reporter, but what I haven't really explained is I love my job - and everything that comes with it. And no...this is not a lame attempt of kissing up to my editor...really. It's more than just a job - it's an experience...something that has touched my life in so many ways. I mean really.. how cool is it to get paid to go to just about everything that happens in our rural community? It' also been a life saver for me as a single mom. I do all of my writing from my home which allows me to be here for my kids, and if and when possible again, work another job at the same time. Plus many of those events I have to cover, the kids often come with me - had I not been in this position there&

Just got this press release from the Wisconsin Coalition on Domestic Violence... Not a record to be proud of, that's for sure........ One would think with all the awareness that there is out there somehow more emphasis would be placed on prevention and resources for victims....however...not the case..those programs and the funding for them tend to be near the top of budget cuts.... Saddest thing about this is we as a society will be paying a larger price now for generations ....DV is a crime that keeps on paying..hurting....and can be felt for years beyond the abuser's life...... 2009 Record Year for Domestic Violence Homicides in Wisconsin Spike in Domestic Violence Killings Comes Despite Falling Violent Crime Rate For Immediate Release: January 6, 2010 Contact: Tony Gibart , Policy Coordinator, WCADV at 608-255-0539 ext. 310 Madison - The number of domestic violence homicides in Wisconsin in 2009 will far outpace 2008 an

Here it is 3:20 am and I am wide awake. I am not awake because I couldn't sleep last night, I am awake because I feel asleep around 5 pm last night. I have the virus from HELL! The kids have the virus from HELL! AND IT WONT GO AWAY! This all started 2 weeks before Christmas as the head cold from Hell. Kyle missed close to an entire week of school the week before Christmas, and I was busier than heck the week of Christmas with Lend a Hand emergencies and articles for the paper ...all while having the cold from Hell - At the time I thought... Great, well at least we're getting it over with before the holidays for once. Oh I was sooo sooo wrong! It never went away, and Christmas, while at the hotel, Justin started getting sick.... Since then it's been downhill..... Both kids have had pinkeye .... The first run to the doctor was with Kyle...strep throat was ruled out and we got drops for the pinkeye...that was three weeks ago. Yesterday Justin went to the doctor...another tes

Wow...ok, maybe I will write this out and not post it... Maybe it's because I've been ill now for 3 weeks with some nasty ass virus and I am worn down that I am finally going public with this... I don't know... Maybe it's because I am fed up with games... Maybe it's because I can't sleep due to too much on my mind.. Or maybe because it's finally time - I just can't stand it any longer... Well...(it's a good thing I am not a drinker, cuz' I'd be downing some right now!) Where do I begin...It's complicated...the three men that have been in my life since my divorce.......... One is that dear friend of mine in Oregon - I love him to pieces...I can actually say he is my best friend in so many ways. I tell him far more than I would or have anyone else. When he entered my life it was if a guardian angel came in to protect me from myself. Like it was meant to be. This may sound freaky to you all but our frien