On Saturday, December 4th, 2010 I will be modeling auction items for the Annual Stuffed Stocking Gala & Auction at the Ruth Marie Center in Del Norte. For those not familiar with the Stuffed Stocking Gala, this is a formal event held every year during the holiday season to benefit La Vereda Foundation (this is the foundation that oversees the Ruth Marie Building), Rio Grande Headwaters & Landtrust (RiGHT), and the Del Norte Chamber of Commerce.
Tickets are on sale ahead of time, $15 for adults and $5 for children under 12, by calling 719-850-2617 or may be purchased at the door. There will be food, a wine bar, beer, child care available and a designated driver will be provided for those who would like to take advantage of this. Viewing of the auction items will begin at 6:30 p.m. and the auction is set to start at 7:00 p.m.
For more information, you can call Barbara at 719-852-2617 or visit http://www.theruthmarie.com/.
Hope to see you on the 4th for this fun evening.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Statistics May Be Low
Stastically, it is said that 1 in 4 women will experience an abusive relationship in their lifetime. I think this is only the number of women who have reported an abusive relationship and that these numbers may actually be a great deal higher than previously thought.
Since I began promoting Domestic Violence Awareness in October, I have come to realize that there are more and more women out there who have experienced a violent dating relationship or marriage. I have had people that I have known for years come forward and say I had a boyfriend who was abusive, I had a husband who was abusive. It seems like over half of the women I know or am friends with have experienced abuse on some level. Could the statistic of 1 in 4 be low and actually be closer to 50% of women? Just wondering since it seems like I know or have met so many women who have experienced some level of abuse. Maybe the 1 in 4 statistic is for physical abuse and does not take into account the other forms of abuse.
Don't forget that abusive is not only physical, it can also be emotional and mental. I have a friend who went through an emotionally abusive relationship and no one ever knew. I experienced abuse on a number of levels in various relationships, not just one. We as women have to stand up for ourselves and gain the courage to leave those relationships that are or may be abusive. No one deserves to be abused and the abuse is never your fault be it physical, mental or emotional. If you are in an abusive relationship, create an escape plan and get out. If you need help getting out you can contact Tu Casa in the San Luis Valley at 719-589-2465, The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233, or your local police or sheriff's department. Help is out there. Don't be too afraid to reach for it.
Since I began promoting Domestic Violence Awareness in October, I have come to realize that there are more and more women out there who have experienced a violent dating relationship or marriage. I have had people that I have known for years come forward and say I had a boyfriend who was abusive, I had a husband who was abusive. It seems like over half of the women I know or am friends with have experienced abuse on some level. Could the statistic of 1 in 4 be low and actually be closer to 50% of women? Just wondering since it seems like I know or have met so many women who have experienced some level of abuse. Maybe the 1 in 4 statistic is for physical abuse and does not take into account the other forms of abuse.
Don't forget that abusive is not only physical, it can also be emotional and mental. I have a friend who went through an emotionally abusive relationship and no one ever knew. I experienced abuse on a number of levels in various relationships, not just one. We as women have to stand up for ourselves and gain the courage to leave those relationships that are or may be abusive. No one deserves to be abused and the abuse is never your fault be it physical, mental or emotional. If you are in an abusive relationship, create an escape plan and get out. If you need help getting out you can contact Tu Casa in the San Luis Valley at 719-589-2465, The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233, or your local police or sheriff's department. Help is out there. Don't be too afraid to reach for it.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Mrs. San Luis Valley & Mrs. Claus - Canned Food Drive
Hi all,
Just wanted to share something really exciting that I am involved with this holiday season. Peggy Hall, known throughout the San Luis Valley as Mrs. Claus, has asked for my help in collecting food and winter accessories for needy families in the San Luis Valley (Creede to Alamosa). Peggy and her husband Jim have been acting as Santa & Mrs. Claus for the last 13 years. During the holiday season, they collect toys through a toy drive and then distribute them to children in towns throughout the Valley. Children come to tell their Christmas wishes to Santa and Mrs. Claus gives them a gift then and there. This has been a great experience for both Jim & Peggy and the children of the Valley.
This year, Peggy has also recognized a need in the Valley and has found 10 families (2 in each town: Creede, South Fork, Del Norte, Monte Vista, and Alamosa) that are need of some help this holiday season. She has asked me to help her with a canned food and winter accessory food drive.
On Friday, December 10th from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m., we will be at the South Fork Visitor Center in South Fork collecting winter accessories (scarves, hats, gloves, mittens, etc.) and canned food to build a "Tree of Love" during the South Fork Visitor Center open house. I will be there to take pictures with, sign autographs and answer any questions that you may have about the drive, the Mrs. Colorado Pageant, or domestic violence. Santa will arrive at 7 p.m. to hear all the boys and girls Christmas wishes and I will be helping him distribute toys to the children.
If you have questions about the food drive ahead of time, please call Josephine at the South Fork Visitor Center 719-873-5512 or email me at mrsslv2010@hotmail.com. Help us help make this Christmas special for some Valley families in need. We hope to see you there!
Just wanted to share something really exciting that I am involved with this holiday season. Peggy Hall, known throughout the San Luis Valley as Mrs. Claus, has asked for my help in collecting food and winter accessories for needy families in the San Luis Valley (Creede to Alamosa). Peggy and her husband Jim have been acting as Santa & Mrs. Claus for the last 13 years. During the holiday season, they collect toys through a toy drive and then distribute them to children in towns throughout the Valley. Children come to tell their Christmas wishes to Santa and Mrs. Claus gives them a gift then and there. This has been a great experience for both Jim & Peggy and the children of the Valley.
This year, Peggy has also recognized a need in the Valley and has found 10 families (2 in each town: Creede, South Fork, Del Norte, Monte Vista, and Alamosa) that are need of some help this holiday season. She has asked me to help her with a canned food and winter accessory food drive.
On Friday, December 10th from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m., we will be at the South Fork Visitor Center in South Fork collecting winter accessories (scarves, hats, gloves, mittens, etc.) and canned food to build a "Tree of Love" during the South Fork Visitor Center open house. I will be there to take pictures with, sign autographs and answer any questions that you may have about the drive, the Mrs. Colorado Pageant, or domestic violence. Santa will arrive at 7 p.m. to hear all the boys and girls Christmas wishes and I will be helping him distribute toys to the children.
If you have questions about the food drive ahead of time, please call Josephine at the South Fork Visitor Center 719-873-5512 or email me at mrsslv2010@hotmail.com. Help us help make this Christmas special for some Valley families in need. We hope to see you there!
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Emotional Abuse (Abuse is not just physical)
I found this website that I think does a wonderful job at describing Emotional Abuse. Please feel free to review some information I took from it below or to visit the site itself at www.lilaclane.com/relationships/emotional-abuse/.
Emotional Abuse Eventually Brainwashes Victims:
Victim is unaware of what is going on and what is taking place.
Victim is unable to control his or her own time or physical environment, and is pushed to change behaviors.
Victim has a sense of powerlessness, fear, and dependency.
Victim has new attitudes and behaviors instilled in them.
Victim is allowed no real input or criticism.
Common Characteristics of Abusers:
Was or witnessed verbal abuse as a child.
Has an explosive temper.
Possessive & jealous.
Sense of masculinity depends on the woman's dependence of him.
Superficial relationships with others.
Low self-esteem.
Rigid expectations of marriage that he will not compromise.
Great capacity for self-deception.
Dual personalities.
Easily deceives others.
Effects of Long-Term Emotional & Verbal Abuse on Victim's:
Isolation
Low Self-Esteem
Depression
Emotional Problems
Illness
Increased Alcohol/Drug Use
Withdrawal from Real Life
Emotional Abuse Eventually Brainwashes Victims:
Victim is unaware of what is going on and what is taking place.
Victim is unable to control his or her own time or physical environment, and is pushed to change behaviors.
Victim has a sense of powerlessness, fear, and dependency.
Victim has new attitudes and behaviors instilled in them.
Victim is allowed no real input or criticism.
Common Characteristics of Abusers:
Was or witnessed verbal abuse as a child.
Has an explosive temper.
Possessive & jealous.
Sense of masculinity depends on the woman's dependence of him.
Superficial relationships with others.
Low self-esteem.
Rigid expectations of marriage that he will not compromise.
Great capacity for self-deception.
Dual personalities.
Easily deceives others.
Effects of Long-Term Emotional & Verbal Abuse on Victim's:
Isolation
Low Self-Esteem
Depression
Emotional Problems
Illness
Increased Alcohol/Drug Use
Withdrawal from Real Life
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