Sunday morning, January 15, 2012

Hi, Everyone,
Thanks for stopping by and viewing my website. Hopefully you will find many articles and tips on ways to help yourself or someone you know suffering and going through domestic violence and abuse.

Since Christmas I have been kind of down and out. I hurt my back in November, and have been dealing with it for a long time. It is something different other than the four herniated discs I've had for quite some time. I'm now at the point my Doctor wants x-rays to see what is going on. I'm hoping it isn't too serious, but the duration of the pain and discomfort has me concerned. One day I am good, and then for other days, not so good! This morning I woke up at 3:30 a.m. with pain radiating down my right leg from my hip area. Hmm. So, if the Stat Care in town has an x-ray technician in today, I may go in and have the x-rays done. (I even had to cancel the book signing at the Joseph-Beth Bookstore in Cleveland in December. I felt really bad about that, but I knew I could not make the journey up and back, plus all the walking from the parking deck to the bookstore. It is quite a walk! Maybe in the spring?)

Otherwise, things are going well. My W.I.S.H. group is going well too, and some of the gals are getting their lives back, despite the hardships they face on a daily basis. Sometimes it is so difficult for them to start anew, especially with children.

My sister is doing well since her surgery and is on the road to recovery. The last two years are almost a blur for her since her accident, but she is getting her life back and doing better each day.

Winter arrived in Ohio on Thursday evening and into Friday. What a snowstorm! The winds were so fierce at times and so cold! I didn't go out as I had a bout with intestional flu this week also, and then many trips to the john. I think it has passed now, and I do feel better except for my back and hip, but this will get resolved one way or another!

I sure am looking forward to spring! It cannot come soon enough!

Take care everyone, and stay safe.

Best regards,

Becky :)

Christmas morning, Dec. 25, 2011

"TODAY WE CELEBRATE!" - By Becky Conrad © December 2007
Today we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
Today we celebrate the One who gave us life.
Laughter, joy, sharing and caring.
A day of family, celebrating need not be wearing.
Peace on earth is in our hearts,
it can only begin with me.
Peace on earth, is within each one of us,
with the tenderness and love of Thee.
He can sustain us, beyond our understanding,
He can lift us up, that our hearts can soar,
beyond the stars, the heavens, beyond time,
we need not want for more.
With each new sunset, and each new dawn,
if given the privilege, peace on earth within, can be mine.
So give a hug and a warm smile,
Wrap His love around you.
Savor the memories of days gone by,
Revere in the future of loved ones nearby.
Celebrate today!
It is a free gift of priceless treasure.
An eternal gift to cherish beyond measure.

Merry Christmas to one and all!

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Hi, Everyone!
I sure appreciate you stopping by, checking things out on my website, and I sure hope these things will help you and others!

I have been so busy, it has been unreal. Much going on. Getting ready for a big meeting tonight for the CCAPL and a pot luck dinner to boot for our members and guests! it's been one fund-raiser after another, and that is a good thing. When winter finally hits, we will have to plan fund-raiser whereever we can inside where it is warm!

Thanksgiving was great! I cooked a turkey, and we all dined on numerous dishes I had prepared. Then the leftovers began! Yum, yum.

This past week I threw my back out and have been to the chiropractor several times. It is better, finally today. Sure hope it stays that way for a while!

I'm not sure what is going on with Author Nations website, as it has been down for almost three months. I bet a lot of writers are having withdrawal as they can't post any thing! Hopefully it will be back up soon.

I have had some really good WISH sessions as of late and I am so proud of the gals coming. They are getting their lives back on track and I'm so blessed to see the change in them for the better.

Take care, be blessed, and get ready for the awesome Christmas celebration!

Becky :)

Wed. November 9, 2011

Hi, Everyone!
Thanks for stopping by and for your uplifting emails!

I've been so busy with so much going on, I haven't had a chance to blog lately.

I've had some new gals in my W.I.S.H. group and they are improving each week with getting their lives back. It warms my heart to see them think better of themselves and to know they do not have to put up with abuse and violence against them and that they didn't deserve it at all!

I see changes each week in their attitude, demeanor, and the rise of their self-esteem is wonderful!

I had an incident myself last week on the elevator at work. This moron-guy, was really being a jerk and said some very provocative remarks to me. He was working on the elevator. I should have exited the elevator when it went up to the fourth floor, but stayed on as I had so much to do after leaving work that day, I stayed on. Then it became apparent this guy was a real idiot! I made it to the first floor and left.

After repeating the conversation we had on the elevator to my supervisor on work Monday, I went to the Sheriff's office and filed a report. What a jerk!

The weather has been grand and I've been getting caught up on things outside. My father-in-law helped me Sunday with cutting and gathering dead flowers in my numerous flower beds, we actually had three loads in the little trailer I pull behind the lawn mower. I still have more to do, but he was a big help that day!

I am looking forward to returning to the Cleveland Clinic's Joseph Beth Bookstore in December. I sure hope the weather cooperatives for the trip there.

The dogs and cats are fine too as is hubby.
Take care, be blessed, and stay safe!
My best to you,
Becky Conrad

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2011

Hi, Everyone,
Thanks for stopping by!
I appreciate your emails and uplifting words of encouragement regarding my books.

I have been invited to speak at the Cleveland Clinic from Noon to 12:45 p.m. to the group of domestic violence and abuse committee, and others who may attend within the Cleveland Clinic. This is quite an honor for me and I am looking forward to sharing my experiences and knowledge. I hope to inspire and motivate them to reach out to victims/survivors they deal with.

Wendy Brewer, Manager of the Joseph-Beth Bookstore in the Cleveland Clinic, was instrumental in procuring this speaking engagement and book signing and I am so grateful for her confidence in me to present and also have a book sales and signing at Joseph-Beth. Thanks, Wendy!

I have been so busy with so many fund-raisers for the CCAPL. We broke ground on our property on September 13th. We had a ceremony on Sat. Sept. 17th, and are looking to the future to procure funding to build the animal shelter. Our goal is 2013, or before if we can raise the funds to build it and then maintain it!

The summer has ended and frost is predicted for this Saturday. I'll have to get the peppers picked and anything else before it hits. I may not go to the Farmer's Market as it is going to be so cold. I get there at 6 a.m. and stay until Noon. Brr! The high is only supposed to reach 50+ degrees for the day!

Hubby is doing well with the kids at school. He doesn't have Freshman this year and this has reduced his stress level quite dramatically!

The cats are fine, the dogs are fine too and still searching for anything in the garden to eat! Woodrow is still searching for any potatoes we may have missed! Clara and Lucy are still swiping tomatoes when they get the chance!

I've had some good group sessions lately in my WISH group. Many women hurting and dealing with the acts of violence and abuse in their relationships.

Gotta go for now.
Thanks again for stopping by. Be safe, and learn all you can about domestic violence and abuse so you do not become a victim!

Best regards,
Becky :)

Sunday morning, Sept. 4, 2011

Hi, Everyone,
Well, the CCAPL didn't win the 25K in August, but we sure tried! So, now we are in the running for 50K at PEPSI REFRESH EVERYTHING PROJECT! The 50K would go towards building the animal shelter on our property. This would help us tremendously!

So if you voted for us before, thanks! Now go back and vote for us again, please, and help us win it! Link: http://www.refresheverything.com/help-ccapl-us-build-it

Voting is for the whole month of Sept. and ends at midnight on the 30th. The surveyor put the stakes in the ground on Wed. morning. I happened to drive by and saw them, so now we are waiting for the contractor to start our next project on our land, hopefully in the next week. Very exciting to get something done on it so the public can see we are trying to make progress!

Yesterday I grilled hot dogs all day at a local grocery store outside for the CCAPL's hot dog stand. Whew! The temperature on the bank hit 96 degrees! Other volunteers were there throughout the day and it was very hot and humid. (We drank bottles of water!) We did good in donations, but hot dog sales were down from the last time we were there in July, but, it all counts and adds up so we had a good day! Talked with many people interested in our cause and promised to vote for us on PEPSI and considered joining or organization too!

Company coming today. Going to be cooler, that is a good thing! The leaves are dropping off the trees, (it has been so dry), and fall is on its way. Hopefully it will be a while until the first frost hits. Hubby is going to dig up the potatoes, and Woodrow will be thrilled as he loves them. He will spend countless hours searching for any we missed! He has a great "nose" for them.

I love fall with the cooler weather and the colors, but know that just around the corner is winter. So, hubby and I will be preparing for it soon. We'll be going into the woods to haul dead trees up, cut up with the log splitter, and stack once again in the woodshed (my job) for the fireplace downstairs in hubby's "Man cave".

I talked with the gal the other day in my last post, and she is doing okay. Good to know she and the children are safe.

Haven't heard from the book signing place yet, so I might give them a call this week to see if I'm going to be on the schedule.

I'm going to freeze some tomatoes today, and get caught up on other things, plus, watch the Indian's game. They have had so many injuries to their top batters, but they sure keep trying!

Take care, be safe, and thanks for stopping by!
Becky :)