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Writing Away
I haven’t been as diligent about writing for my blog as I have been in the past. It makes me feel a little guilty, because I’ve always put so much energy and time into my blog. However, there are good reasons for my absence, so allow me to explain: The semester ended in mid-May. I can honestly say that after working in education throughout a pandemic and teaching a full load + of courses online, it was more challenging than normal. Obviously, we have all been affected by this situation and our work lives were altered quite a bit, but the energy it took to produce, deliver, and grade remotely…
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Interpersonal Communication Up Next
* This semester, I’ll be teaching two sections of Interpersonal Communication. I couldn’t be more pleased to reacquaint myself with this course, as I have not taught it in several years. This is such a wonderful foundational course in communication, and it is the basis on which relationships are built, caressed, fostered, and extended. The textbook for the course, The Interpersonal Communication Book, by Joseph A. DeVito, has offered new insights into the course whereby DeVito includes new information about how we communicate online (just as I am doing here). Online communication has become such a large part of our lives that it absolutely warrants attention. We have connections with…
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Late to the Game of Thrones Party, #writerssupportingwriters & Elizabeth Sagan
LATE TO THE GAME OF THRONES PARTY Yes, I know. This show has been around for a while. And I have to admit to having tried the show two or three years ago and not being in the mood for it after watching the first episode. Sometimes you just have to be in the right frame of mind or in the mood for something fantasy/medieval-based in order to become hooked. So, at the urging of a former student I trust and friends whose taste in television we regard well, my husband and I decided to give it another go. I’m so thankful we did. This series has been perfect for…
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Social Media Comparison is the Thief of Joy
What the hell are we doing? Honestly? To use Teddy Roosevelt’s wonderful quote: Comparison is the thief of joy. If you want to know the best way to kill your self-esteem and levels of confidence, continue to compare yourself to others on social media. After a few minutes of scrolling through social media, you’re certain to feel as if you do not do enough, look good enough, work hard enough, or live in a home that is beautiful enough (among others). The uncanny ability to think that what we see on social media is real life is hurting us and our kids. Typically, life is not as we see it…
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FROCKTOBER – WEEK 4 And Some Words of Wisdom to Be Kind to Yourself
As FROCKTOBER comes to a close this week, I’m hoping 3 things come from it: 1-That I helped raise some money and awareness for ovarian cancer research; 2-That my Instagram photos–as stressful as they were for me to pick outfits and to take sometimes–didn’t bore you too much, and, 3-That you take away that you can feel beautiful no matter your shape or size. Over the last several months, I have been battling hip and back pain, which has prevented me from exercising like I used to. It’s frustrating & maddening and I am carrying around some extra weight that I desperately want to get rid of. I’ve started doing…
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FROCKTOBER Fashion- Week 3 Recap
For the better part of this week, I was sick with a bad head cold, and yet, I made it to all of my classes and meetings. I don’t like to disappoint my students and will show up unless I have a fever or have flu-like symptoms. That’s my game plan. It was a busy week with Stevenson University’s Homecoming and meetings with fellow faculty and students. We had a lot going on! These were the looks from the week. I also snuck in a girls night out with my friend Elizabeth to see the imomsohard tour at MGM National Harbor on Friday night. We laughed until we cried. Honestly,…
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FROCKTOBER Week 2 for Ovarian Cancer
I’ve been hit with a pretty miserable cold this week, but I powered through, so I didn’t get to post last week’s outfits on Sunday. I’m coming out of the illness now–the change of season always gets to me–and I’m sharing what I wore for Week 2 of Frocktober. Thank you to those of you who have donated to Ovarian Cancer. These brave women need our support, and that’s what FROCKTOBER is all about–to help raise awareness of this disease. You can still help by clicking here and making a donation of any size. THANK YOU. Here’s what I wore last week. I hit the mid-point of my 31-days of…
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What the Frock? I’ll Tell You What I’m Frocking Up To This Month.
Welcome, October. I’m very excited to see you again. You are one of my favorite months of the year. First, because autumn is my favorite season, and second because we get to mix a love of fashion with building awareness for Ovarian Cancer, an ailment my colleague and friend, Chris Noya, continues to fight and beat. So, Welcome, Frocktober. During the month of October, I’m joining other bloggers in promoting fundraising for this disease, as well as posting one outfit a day for 31 days of fashion. I’ve done it for the past two years, and I’ll do it again. Ovarian cancer is a scary thing. All cancers are. A…
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The Game is Always On: The Truth About Being an Indie Author
I don’t know about you, fellow indie authors, but there are only so many hours in the day for us to write and promote our books. However, the game is always on, and you can’t afford to slack. For me, writing is the most pleasurable and most fun part of being an independent author, just because I love the creative process so much. The marketing is by far the most challenging, and so we rely on others to help us via word-of-mouth or shares on social media. I’m knee deep into writing my third novel, and it’s going well so far. I hope to complete this book by the end…
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Some Highlights & Appreciation
This past week began with a bang as viewers were treated to another outstanding episode of Downton Abbey. With Robert’s bloody collapse at the dinner table, we were left wondering if all will be okay in the great house in England. If you are like my family and me and are becoming sadder and sadder with each passing episode because there are only a few episodes left of this A+ show, you can become even more filled with grief because when it is over, you will no longer be able to read the wonderfully entertaining recaps written by Joe Heim at The Washington Post. Each Monday, my father, mother, and…
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Playing with Photography and Memories
Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever…it remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything. ~ Aaron Siskind While we all may not be writers, we all have phone cameras—if not more elaborate cameras—and taking interesting photographs has become more important these days simply because of social media. Getting that perfect shot, the one that tells the story of that moment in time, may take several clicks before we decide to post it. The lighting, angel of the camera or subjects, and the feeling of the photographer at the time he or she clicks the button all…
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What One Week Away From Facebook Taught Me
Last week, we went on vacation. Although it was shortened due to the unfortunate path of Hurricane Arthur, prior to leaving, I deactivated my Facebook account. I wanted to see what it felt like to be disconnected from that form of social media. I stayed on Instagram just to post pictures from vacation, but other than that, I let it all go. It’s not a bad thing to do. Disconnecting a little is healthy; it allows you to focus on the things that are truly important, such as your family and friends. I had become way too involved on Facebook, feeling the need to post constantly. I don’t feel the…
