A Friend...Not A Bully + #MyPostMonday Link-up

Last week, a friend at work shared a tragic event in his family's life.  His cousin from Nebraska, a star high school football player, on a full-ride scholarship, I'm told, committed suicide.  He had it all.  But even guys being recruited to big-time schools can be bullied, apparently.  It's been two weeks since he shot himself, leaving behind grieving family, friends, and a confused hometown. A college will be offering a scholarship to someone else, not their first choice.  But #8 will never be forgotten. How very sad.  It goes to show that bullying knows no boundaries--no amount of talent, or lack of it, no demographic, religion, gender, race, social status or zip code can claim safety.   Below is an actual picture of the boy who was somehow targeted and bullied to the point that he felt he had to take his own life.

If bullying knows no boundaries, how can you prepare your child to be a survivor of the inevitable?  I personally remember being bullied in all grades.  In grade school, there were other groups of girls who would specifically target someone by looks and then try to bully them.  It was easy back then.  I would just run home.  I didn't ride the bus, so I didn't have to put up with craziness there.  In Jr. high school, it was just a matter of being accepted by a bigger group of peers than were in elementary school.  It was hard to find people at lunchtime who I wanted to be with or, conversely, wanted to be with me.  I'm not gonna lie, I spent some lonely times during that period of my life.  And in high school, if you let yourself get too far out of your element, you could definitely be prey to an outside group.  I found myself  alone in the locker room one day, when two girls of different race and background came in.  They saw a chance to get even for every wrong ever committed to them in this lifetime, it seemed, and their revenge was heaped upon me.  They got me cornered and started throwing shampoo bottles, bars of soap and brushes at me.  One hit me in the face.  As they approached even closer, I didn't wait to find out what would happen next.  I exited through the closest doors I saw and headed out toward the pool with the swimming class.  I hung out there for an indefinite period of time.  I didn't tell anyone though.  I didn't want the attention, I didn't want the hassle and I didn't want to appear weak.  But that's where I was wrong.  If someone is bullied, they need to tell someone.  Preferably someone in authority, but if not, just someone they trust. You may need that person to provide witness or just having some support is invaluable!

One of the most important things is to teach your child anti-bullying behavior.  Many bullies have been victims themselves.  If children are bullied in the home, they will probably act out of the home.  If you suspect you are the parent of a bully, you can start helping them to help others through volunteering and sharing. Teaching them to be tolerant of others who are different is really important.  After all, in America, you're always going to get different.  But that is what we are supposed to exemplify--tolerance to everyone.  In other words:

____________________________________

Welcome to #MyPost Monday! It's all about original content from bloggers who care to share what is on their minds--from Crafts to Camping, Wellness to Wealth, Fashion to Food, and whatever else is on the brain!  I open up with a post of my own and then follow it up with a linky of the week's best original content! It's all about what the writer thinks, believes, and knows. If I happen to find a great original, non-sponsored post, I'll link it up and share it with you here and on Twitter (maybe even Facebook and Instagram as well) via the #MyPostMonday hashtag!  It's like being featured!  I can miss some amazing posts, but I don't want to!  So, in addition, if you'd like to link up yourself while the linky is open that week, you can do that too!  I'll visit your site, comment, promote and publicize! Remember, any link to your posts helps your blog numbers increase! (Affiliate links welcome!)

2-Winner Mialisia #Jewelry Valentine #Giveaway

 Welcome to the Mialisia Jewelry Valentine Giveaway!  
Mialisia is the answer to the age-old dilemma of 'I don't have any jewelry that looks good with this outfit, even though I have a jewelry box full of it!'
 "We all want to look good and have the confidence that we are showing the world our best self. With the right attitude and the correct jewelry for one's personality and style, jewelry becomes an asset. Who does not want to always look their best? Everyone does, right?  Jewelry can change mood, it can make people smile, it helps one feel more put together, it helps one to find and enhance the look that they want .  It can be a conversation starter, it can extend your wardrobe, brighten your smile, lift your spirits--jewelry makes an outfit!" --Carrie Perucca, Mialisia Independent Designer

 
With one or two pieces you can create a multitude of different looks!  It's all in the 2 hooks on either end of the piece, making it possible to lengthen or shorten according to your preference, make a layered look that is easy to wear, or make a single strand look that is gorgeous!  You decide! This unique capability is called VersaStyle!

There are so many possibilities!  Read Helena's review about her experience with Mialisia Jewelry!

   We are excited to announce that 2 winners will each receive 2 Versastyle pieces of their choice, up to $80! Enter in the Rafflecopter below!  

 Please consider liking each and every one of  the participating bloggers on Facebook!  We work hard to bring great information and giveaways like this to you!

 Open to U.S. and Canada, 20+, Only 1 person, per household may enter.  No participating blogger is responsible for non-delivery of products.  No compensation was received for this giveaway.  Thanks to all participating bloggers. 
This giveaway is no way sponsored, endorsed by, affiliated with, or associated with Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google or any other social media platform. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Making A Difference And #MotivatingMonday Link-Up

How often have we wished that the world was different or even one aspect of it?  But the vastness of the problem makes us want to crawl into a hole, rather than face the perplexity of the issue.  How much, really, can one person accomplish anyway? Especially when we don't have hours, days and months to devote to a certain cause.  That's where we need to stop and re-wire our thinking!  We can make a difference in our own little space.  

If you haven't noticed this phenomenon, try this.  Help someone, really help them, no strings attached.  You will notice that in the process your own world is made better, brighter and fuller!  It's never the same outcome though.  One time you might learn something totally unexpected.  The next time you might gain a friendship never otherwise obtained.  You may even gain fame or fortune.  But remember, that's not the point!  If done with ulterior motive, it doesn't work.  

I started blogging after I decided to create a blog to help some women in my church group keep updated on cultural activities we participated in.  Not everyone could make it every single time, but they could read about it.  I found that I enjoyed doing it and it snowballed from there.  Now my blogging is out of control, according to some in my circles, but it's something I love to do!  I honestly don't believe I would have started blogging if I hadn't wanted to be helpful at that time. (No strings attached!)

A journalist once questioned Mother Teresa of Calcutta about her hopeless task of rescuing the destitute in that city. He said that, statistically speaking, she was accomplishing absolutely nothing. This remarkable little woman shot back that her work was about love, not statistics. Notwithstanding the staggering number beyond her reach, she said she could keep the commandment to love God and her neighbor by serving those within her reach with whatever resources she had. “What we do is nothing but a drop in the ocean,” she would say on another occasion. “But if we didn’t do it, the ocean would be one drop less than what it is! 
Have you noticed a greater abundance after you have helped someone unconditionally?  

 Today is Motivating Monday!  We all need a little motivation!  I, for one, love to explore other sites for motivating posts, tips, pictures and videos!  If I happen to find yours, I'll link it up and let you know!  It's like being featured!  Sometimes I miss some amazing posts.  So, in addition, if you'd like to link up yourself, you can do that too!  I'll visit your site, comment, promote and publicize! Don't be shy--I'm really very supportive!  Remember, any link to your posts helps your blog numbers increase!  Have a great week!

Versatility And Choice With Mialisia Jewelry

I love jewelry anytime of the year.  It takes me from drab to fab in a few seconds.  I was presented with 2 basic pieces of jewelry that I was amazed to find made 4 beautiful looks upon first try!  And there are so many more ways to use it!  Mialisia jewelry is made to be versatile.  It's all in the little hooks that are on each end of the pieces, which makes it easy to lengthen or shorten the strands to your own personal preference.  

 It also makes it easy to add on different pieces of jewelry to create an individual look! We aren't all the same height or size and, of course, different outfits require different lengths of jewelry.  Some outfits need simplicity and other outfits need opulence and sophistication.  We are individuals, with different tastes and preferences, fully capable of making those decisions on our own!  Mialisia Jewelry puts every woman in the drivers seat and encourages creativity and individuality.  It's called VersaStyle because of  how versatile it really is! I enlisted the help of  two cute Gal Pals to model some basic looks of the two pieces I was given--

Belted Look

Short Layered Necklace

Long Single Strand Necklace

Bracelet

I like the fact that it is a direct sales business because you can choose to sell it or you can host a party and get free jewelry and deep discounts for your efforts.  You can see more of their pieces of jewelry in the USA flipbook. 

To Shine On! And #MyPostMonday Link-Up

Many of us love things that are pretty, shiny, and sparkly.  I know I do!  But I think that our inner glow is the thing that reflects light the most.  I believe that our souls reflect who we are.  When we can up the soul-light wattage, it is better than any fashion trick we can conjure up!  If we work at it, we can shine very brightly because we are reflecting light from within!  How do we do that?  By being true to ourselves and doing those things that attract light to our lives.  Here are a few things I thought of right away:

1) Read good books.  I like to read books that leave me with a good feeling.  I believe that what I read influences my thoughts and my feelings throughout the day.  If I read things that are really depressing and without any means of hope, I find myself thinking hopelessly.  


2) Stay positive.  The mind is so good at latching on to what we intentionally think and will attract positive influences, if that is what we so choose. I've used positive affirmations to stay positive and be more productive. I think it is worth the effort!  If nothing else, smile!  It releases endorphins!

3) Help those around you.  Once we help ourselves, we can then go beyond ourselves to spread light.  It is said that when you help others with something you know or have extra of, it helps you even more than the one you are helping!


4) Exercise daily.  Recently it was found that just 15 minutes per day of simple walking reduced the likelihood of getting a number of diseases by 25%!  Anything beyond that was minimal in comparison.  If you can't do more than 15 minutes per day, that's OK!  You've helped yourself immensely!


5) Eat good food.  Eat whole and stay away as much as possible from sugar, simple carbs and whatever else makes you feel bad.  Some people stay away from gluten, others shun dairy.  Know what foods you need and what foods hurt you.

6) Pray.  For yourself, for your loved ones, for those who have hurt you, for things that you need, for things that you want, for things that you believe in.  Prayer is a wonderful way for us to show faith and learn about the power of prayer in our lives:

 Yea, cry unto him for mercy; for he is mighty to save.

 Yea, humble yourselves, and continue in prayer unto him.

  Cry unto him when ye are in your fields, yea, over all your flocks.

 Cry unto him in your houses, yea, over all your household, both morning, mid-day, and evening.

 Yea, cry unto him against the power of your enemies.

 Yea, cry unto him against the devil, who is an enemy to all righteousness.

Cry unto him over the crops of your fields, that ye may prosper in them.

Cry over the flocks of your fields, that they may increase.

  But this is not all; ye must pour out your souls in your closets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness.

 Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you. *

In this day and age, there are many things that could be, and are, troubling.  But we can alleviate so much by cultivating that inner light to guide us each and every day!  Be blessed!

____________________________________________________
Welcome to #MyPostMonday! It's all about original content from bloggers who care to share what is on their minds--from Crafts to Camping, Wellness to Wealth, Fashion to Food, and whatever else is on the brain!  I open up with a post of my own and then follow it up with a linky of the week's best original content! It's all about what the writer thinks, believes, and knows. If I happen to find a great original, non-sponsored post, I'll link it up and share it with you here and on Twitter (maybe even Facebook and Instagram as well) via the #MyPostMonday hashtag!  It's like being featured!  I can miss some amazing posts, but I don't want to!  So, in addition, if you'd like to link up yourself while the linky is open that week, you can do that too!  I'll visit your site, comment, promote and publicize! Remember, any link to your posts helps your blog numbers increase! (Affiliate links welcome!                                                                                               *Alma 34:18-27, The Book Of Mormon, Another Testament Of Jesus Christ

The National Championship Game and Motivating Monday #Link-up

It's another Monday!  Again it's snowy and cold.  We're looking forward to the National Championship Game tonight.  It's a tough call for me.  I'm an Urban Meyers Fan, since he was the coach at University Of Utah and brought The Utes to some great victories. But I'm a real Ducks fan because my sister and her family are in Portland and they are die-hard Oregon fans!  It's going to be a heck of a game and we're definitely geared up!  The t.v. is reserved for "the game" and the snacks are ready. 

It's an hour and 15 minutes before kick-off and the internet is going crazy!  Twitter, Instagram and Facebook are lit up!  Who do you think will win?  I'm going out on a limb and saying Oregon! 

Regardless, it's going to be a great game and I'm excited to watch it!
Today is Motivating Monday!  We all need a little motivation!  I, for one, love to explore other sites for motivating posts, tips, pictures and videos!  If I happen to find yours, I'll link it up and let you know!  It's like being featured!  Sometimes I miss some amazing posts.  So, in addition, if you'd like to link up yourself, you can do that too!  I'll stalk visit your site, comment, promote and publicize! Don't be shy--I'm really very supportive!  Remember, any link to your posts helps your blog numbers increase!

Salt Lake Comic Con Fan X 2015 3-Winner #Giveaway!

The wildly popular Kid Con is back too!

It's back! One of the most popular events ever and popular around the whole country, as people join in the fun of dressing up and "becoming" their favorite characters from cartoons, t.v. Shows and movies!  

For Those of you who attended Salt Lake City Comic Con in September 2014 and came away wanting even more, I've got great news! Salt Lake Comic Con Fan Xperience is back, with a smaller, high-quality event with event founders Dan Farr and Bryan Brandenburg announcing a significantly lower amount of  tickets being allotted.   There will be only 50,000 tickets per day, as compared to the maximum crowd attendance of 120,000 people one day at Comic Con 2014, overwhelming the arena on opening day in September. With this and other improvements, this year's Salt Lake City FanXperience shouldn't  be one to be forgotten for those privileged to attend!

As a volunteer and attendee at the SLC Fan X 2014 I can attest there is something for everyone and it brings out the inner nerd in all of us!  It brings the whole family together, as the kids can dress up, attend KidCon and see other kids dressed up in their favorite characters.  Also, with one-of-a-kind vendors congregating at the event, you'll be sure to find gifts and collectibles you could never find on Amazon.  

The Comic Con Organization also gives back to the community.  They have worked to donate and work with 18 charities and public organizations including Boy Scouts of America, Firemen & Friends For Kids, Huntsman Cancer Institute, & Intermountain Primary Children's Hospital.  Also, in the near future, they will be partnering with the American Red Cross at the event itself.

If you aren't impressed with huge, pressing crowds, this is the event for you.  With the huge crowds of September still in many people's minds, it might be appropriate to understand what actually happened.  Basically, the founders didn't realize the huge popularity of the event.  Complimentary tickets were given out as a gesture to schools, law enforcement personnel, fire department personnel, military and individuals in need.  This is a standard procedure for most major events and the average redemption rate for an event is under 25%.  But for this hugely popular event, the redemption rate for these tickets alone was at 97%!  This put the already highly attended event over the top!  Now the organizers of Comic Con are excited to put their experiences to great use and Fan Xperience 2015 will be amazing! 

This year's star roster includes Carrie Fisher, Morena Baccarin, Felicia Day, Tom Felton, Brandon Routh, Christopher Lloyd, Alaina Huffman and many more! 

I, along with my two lovely Co-Hosts, Housewife Eclectic and Dawn's Delights, am pleased to announce that 3 winners will be able to participate in the fun and excitement of Comic Con Fan Xperience 2015!  1st Prize - Two 3-day passes to Fan Xperience 2015!  2nd Prize - One 3-day pass to Fan Xperience  2015 and 3rd Prize - 2 Commemorative Collectible Pins from  Comic Con Fan X 2014 and 2015!  Enter the Rafflecopter Form below!  Good luck! 

Please consider liking each and every one of  the participating bloggers on Facebook!  We work hard to bring great information and giveaways like this to you!

This blog did not receive any monetary compensation for this giveaway.  Also, this giveaway is no way sponsored, endorsed by, affiliated with, or associated with Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google or any other social media platform.  No participating bloggers are responsible for delivery of prizes. Thanks to all the Utah Blogs who participated along with A GAL NEEDS...to promote this giveaway. Also special thanks to Troy Hulse, Sr. Volunteer Manager, at Comic Con!
  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Lessons Learned During Hibernation And Motivating Monday #Link-Up

Tomorrow it all starts back up again.  I'm back at work after my 2-week holiday break.  It went both fast and slow. It was very laid-back.  We didn't travel anywhere, we didn't do much of anything at all.  Except eat.  We did lots of that.  For one thing, it was too cold.  It snowed on Christmas and after that the temperatures went below 10 degreees, actually dipping to 0 degrees one night, and that is just too cold for me to go ANYWHERE (I know, I'm a pansy compared to you Northerners and you Arctic Circle folks!)  It was quite a novelty to harvest huge icicles from the gutters around the house!  

What does one do when hibernating in one's den?  Well, I know that a lot of people play Monopoly and other such "raucous" games, as evidenced by the Instagram tag, #Monopoly. We, ourselves, played a few intense games and I came away winning once and being totally crushed another time!   We played for hours at a time.  I found it surprising how similar Monopoly is to real life   One or two sequences of bad luck and your world can come crashing down.  But if you can just hang on and try every avenue to outlast the Minion of Misfortune, your luck can suddenly turn around and it's smooth sailing until the next series of unfortunate events.  (Speaking of avenues, Baltic Avenue is a really cheap property. But with a hotel on it, you can get $450 a pop!) Real life's ebbs and flows last more than several hours, however. Sometimes it is hard to be positive that things will get better and hard to foresee so far into the future!  I suppose that is why the New Year has so much value.  We can "resolve" to be more positive in our outlook and press forward in life, until it's our turn to land in Free Parking!

Also, Welcome to Motivating Monday!  We all need a little motivation!  I, for one, love to explore other sites for motivating posts, tips, pictures and videos!  If I happen to find yours, I'll link it up and let you know!  It's like being featured!  If you'd like to link up, I'd love it if you would!  I'll stalk visit your site, comment, promote and publicize on one of my own social media channels!  Don't be shy--I'm really very supportive!  Remember, any link to your posts helps your blog number increase! 

Sashka Crystal Hand-Beaded Bracelet 4-Winner #Giveaway Event!

Welcome To  

The Sashka Bracelet Giveaway Event!

Christmas is over and you did for everyone else! Make this one for you!  Sashka Co. bracelets are hand-made, crystal, one-size-fits-all, fair-trade, and come in every color of the rainbow.  They sparkle in the sunlight and complement your outfits.  Go boho chic, bold, subtle, or perfectly coordinated.  Read the review here!

 

 

4 winners will each receive a Sashka bracelet! Open to U.S.  Open to 21 and over. No participating blogger, including A GAL NEEDS..., is responsible for delivery of goods and services.  One entry per person, per household.  Ends midnight on January 24th!  Please consider liking each and every one of  the participating bloggers on Facebook.  We really appreciate it.  For additional guidelines, see Rafflecopter Disclosure section.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Past Year In Retrospect

Before I sat down to write this post, I thought back about my blogging year.  As memories of the past year streamed behind me, I remembered both good and bad.  I feel there were some months where I was incredibly focused.  I followed up on deadlines, I pursued social networking, I produced content and communicated with sponsors. But other months were....less than stellar.  And let's face it, there are quite a few areas that need to be addressed regularly if you're a blogger. For instance, if social networking is neglected for any length of time, traffic can be severely impacted.  (Which it was) And if one doesn't post regularly, it can be devastating. But how much posting is sufficient?  Once a week?  4 times a month? In my mind, that isn't near enough.  But that is what happened at times. 

My quandary was time.  I love to blog, but realistically how much time do I have to spend on it? Life sometimes gets in the way.  Who can plan for the unexpected?  Who would've thought my son would go to State and then actually win State?   And after all, my first 3 priorities are my faith, family and my job, which provides my reliable source of income and, let's be honest, gets me out of the house. Even so, blogging is an easy 4th.  While things went even as they did, I still managed to grow my blog, produce content, do reviews, and host giveaway events.  More importantly, I still love to blog and don't dread opening up my browser to create!  Here are some of the highlights of 2014!

• I was flabbergasted at the high water usage in certain areas of our desert state and I ran into an all-too-common occurrence as we build further and further into wildlife habitat!  

• I had a crazy driving adventure due to road-rage and was "under"whelmed by our legal system and the abundance of frivolous lawsuits happening everywhere.

• I was ever-concerned with my diet, health and beauty and perseverated about how my genetic make-up was perfectly good and acceptable, despite popular argument and evidence to the contrary!

• I hosted an average of one giveaway per month and my favorites were Magic Zoo Jewelry, Cariloha bamboo sheets, Mrs. Fields Cookies, Classical Stretch Season 10, Rejuvenator Microbubble Showerhead and Rainshadow Labs!

• I started two linkys - Motivating Monday and Sabbatical Sunday!  These will be continuing throughout 2015 because I love to read your blogs and learn from your experiences!  I don't ask anyone to follow other blogs, but I do promise to promote all link-ups on one of my social media channels! 'Cause I love you!

I've never been into goals for my blog but this year I think I'll try it and even make it public! My goals for next year are to grow my content and giveaways by 20%!  That means 3 more giveaways than last year (and I do select my giveaways carefully) and 4 more self-authored posts!  Yay!  Something to shoot for!  My most important goal, however, is to continue to love blogging and if that means taking a break sometimes to clear my head, I will definitely do it!
 

What are your goals, blogging or otherwise, for 2015?