To Delete or Not to Delete: My Ponderance of Blogging

While going through my Google Reader, which was LONG overdue, I actually took the time to read some posts on blogs that I follow... but don’t really keep up with the way I want to.  The one that prompted this blog post is on Angela Shelton’s Blog, To Blog or Not to Blog.  I’ve been thinking for the past couple of days that I should be blogging more, both here and on Tailored Life Coaching (TLC).  Really, what’s the point in having these blogs if I’m not going to use them. 

I have a few other blogs that are not under my real name... those I tend to keep up with a little better.  I think it is because they are just informative blogs, copy paste type blogs where I actually have to say very little.  Whereas my two main blogs should have some thought behind the posts.  Reading Angela’s post today really made sense to me though, in light of my recent pondering of my own blogs. 

When I first started this blog it was with the intention to allow only my close friends and family access to it... it was an effort to save time by posting things here that I would usually email to individuals or call people about.  I guess it, at times, has also taken on the role of being a sort of online journal for me rant, vent, or whatever.  This blog has always been for me (rather than me writing for others benefit) and about various things... thus the randomness of the posts.

I go through cycles of wanting to delete it, then I remember an email or message I’ve gotten from someone way back whenever, saying something positive about my post(s) here.  So, after much thought today I am going to forego the hitting of that ‘delete blog’ button that rears its ugly head at me from time to time, and start making time to blog about the things in life that actually matter to me.

One of those things is Domestic Violence (DV) and all that it entails.  Actually, my DV advocacy is what prompted the TLC Blog in the first place.  There was a two-fold purpose in that... first was because I wanted a place to help DV (and sexual assault (SA) and child abuse(CA)) victims and survivors with their healing and going on with their lives.  My second reason was that all my friends and family do not need to or want to read/see all the posts related to healing from the trauma of DV/SA/CA. 

Other blogs that I have are about DV Advocacy from the view point of making others aware of what goes on behind closed doors... so many people have no clue about DV until they find themselves or a friend going through it.  In my opinion awareness and healing information types need to be separate... but have I now spread myself so thin that just the thought of blogging anything anywhere is daunting?  I think I may have.

So it’s back to basics

Do I need all these different blogs?  Yeah, I think I do... for several reasons.  DV isn’t the only thing I have an interest in and is not the one and only thing that defines me as a person... thus the need for this blog.  I want to share what I’m doing in life that is positive without all the focus on a negative past... which also leads to the TLC Blog and it’s purpose, so that blog will stay as well... I can leave it there for those that need that type of thing.

So without further ado... expect to see more blogging going on here about crocheting, books I’m reading, classes I’m taking, random things that cross my mind ... but mostly just about ME living my life.

Half Full or Half Empty

Taken from:  http://9gag.com/gag/95707/

How I Feel More Often Than Not

Hookin’ for a Cause- Recap Episode 1: Basics and Supplies

During the live recording I mentioned several links and posted them into the chat area.  Since the chat area clears when the show is over I am posting the links here for everyone.

During today’s show, Basics and Supplies, we learned three basic stitches:  chain (ch), single crochet (sc) and double crochet (dc).  I also talked about various yarn types and sizes as well as various hook sizes.  If you missed the show you can watch it here:  http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/5419558

Good place to buy yarn in bulk quantities at VERY discounted rates:  http://smileysyarns.com/

Good place to buy any craft items, including crochet supplies:  http://www.herrschners.com/

Of course you don’t have to buy your yarn and hooks and supplies online, you can buy them from Michael’s, Hobby Lobby, Wal-Mart, a specialty yarn store or anywhere else you can find them!

Social network for yarn crafters, knitters and crocheters:  http://www.ravelry.com

My profile on Ravelry, if you join, look me up:  http://www.ravelry.com/people/mary1293

A fan page on Facebook that has beautiful designs:  http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/CroChet/77141923060?v=wall&ref=ts  (this is not mine although I do follow this fan page)

The charity that one of the Army of Angels knits for:  http://www.knit-a-square.com/knitting-for-charity.html

Hookin’ for a Cause- My New Live Show

 

During a video chat with the Army of Angels we were talking about various things and the subject of knitting and crochet came up.  Someone mentioned that they knit squares for a charity.  That led to me jumping in to say that I crochet and have crocheted for charities.  Well...the conversation went from there to now I am doing a live show online every Saturday at 3pm EST to teach crochet.

Our plan is to learn just the basics at first, making squares to attach together into afghans and lapghans to gift to various outlets that help abused women and children.  The first show is tomorrow ( March 13th) and during that show I will go over the very basics. 

I will be talking about what supplies you need to have on hand to get started.  I will discuss the different hooks and sizes as well as the different yarn textures, sizes and prices.  I will be giving links during that show to various online resources for buying yarns and hooks and also to a few yarn craft social networks that are I have found to be useful as well as fun.

I will be using Ustream for this live broadcast.  For those that are not familiar with Ustream, basically you will be able to hear and see me live and next to the video there is a chat area where those watching can chat or ask questions and make comments live during the show.  I will be monitoring that chat stream throughout the show so that it is more interactive; allowing for questions as we go along.

The Ustream channel for the show, Hookin’ for a Cause, is:  http://www.ustream.tv/channel/hookin-for-a-cause

Even if you are not a member of the Army of Angels please feel free to join us!  If you would just like to learn crochet and do not plan to use your new craft/hobby for charity...that is fine too, join us anyway!

I look forward to seeing many people joining in to learn how to crochet! Those that already crochet are welcome as well...we will be moving forward from the basics quickly.