Rock and Roll Saved My Soul

Life in a small town is always the same. Everyone knows everyone else's business. This is the world that Ivy Martin grew up in. Her life was far from perfect. Bullied mercilessly in high school. All she wanted was to leave the town and all the cruel kids behind and start a new life. But when she goes to the annual graduation party things take a turn for the worse. One of her only male friends, Landon takes advantage of her, leaving her feeling dirty and used. College wasn't any different. The kids are just as cruel. Then she meets a man and hopes that her luck had finally changed, but Daven isn't who Ivy thought he was. And before she knows what is happening she's trapped in an abusive relationship with almost no way to escape. Isolated from her friends and family, she has nowhere to turn. This is one woman's story of the devastating heart break that domestic abuse can bring. Amazon Goodreads

5-29-20: Well I worked a day and a half at work this week. That was pretty rough. I made it though. I have finish 10/20 books for the year to read. I'm making slow progress on getting my book wrote. My migraines have slowed down a little bit. My best friend has a new release today. I already pre ordered the kindle book. I just need to order a paper copy. Which I will do after I pay one more bill. :) I'm so excited. Then just need to try to save some money. Since I'll be going to work soon and have a miss in paychecks. I'm hoping to stream again on Monday. It's honestly just little things!!

Shavuot, Yiddish Shovues in Ashkenazi usage, (Hebrew: שָׁבוּעוֹת, lit. "Weeks"), is known as the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost (Koinē Greek: Πεντηκοστή) in English. It is a Jewish holiday that occurs on the sixth day of the Hebrew month of Sivan (it may fall between May 15 and June 14 on the Gregorian calendar). Shavuot has a double significance, agricultural and spiritual. Agriculturally it marks the all-important wheat harvest in the Land of Israel (Exodus 34:22), and spiritually it commemorates the anniversary of the day when God gave the Torah to the nation of Israel assembled at Mount Sinai—although the association is not explicit in the Biblical text between the giving of the Torah (Matan Torah) and Shavuot. The holiday is one of the Three Pilgrimage Festivals of the Bible. The word Shavuot means "weeks" and it marks the conclusion of the Counting of the Omer. Its date is directly linked to that of Passover; the Torah mandates the seven-week Counting of the Omer...

May 26, 2020: Things are pretty okay this week. I got a pay raise at work, so that was nice. And I got my hours switched around a bit, in hopes of breaking up that awful long week I have. So thankful about that. But at the same time, we lost a housekeeper, so that sucks. And I wish things could go back to normal, but that's probably going to be a while. We had a hard enough time hiring someone before things went to shit. So I don't know about that and what's all going to happen. I'm trying my best though. In other news, I'm almost done with the novel I've been writing! And I have that is coming out on Friday! So that's kind of exciting. I don't really have anything else to talk about today. 

On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. this equates to more than 10 million women and men per year. Domestic violence isn’t just about being physically abused. It’s also about the emotional and psychological side, too. Come on a journey with others who have experienced domestic violence and are willing to share their stories, to show everyone else out there that they have a chance. Fighting Chance is a book of stories and poetry for those who have dealt with domestic violence and are sharing how they stood up to it and have moved on with their life. It wasn’t easy for most of us. And some of us still may struggle with it, but we want to reach out to others who may be going through something similar and let them know you don’t have to put up with it. Find your voice and fight back. Amazon Goodreads

With over 5 million cases diagnosed in the United States each year, skin cancer is America’s most common cancer. Fortunately, skin cancer is also one of the most preventable forms of cancer. About 90 percent of nonmelanoma skin cancers and 85 percent of melanoma cases are associated with exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun. By sharing facts about the dangers of unprotected exposure and encouraging people to check their skin for warning signs, we can and will save lives. We can’t do this work alone. In 2020, Skin Cancer Awareness Month takes place amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though many of us are separated, we can still unite against skin cancer, share the facts and help save lives. You Can Help #SharetheFacts YOU are the most important part of Skin Cancer Awareness month! We’ve put together a 2020 toolkit with downloadable images to make it easy for you to post on social media. You can also share skin cancer facts, prevention guidelines and early detection content. Than...

Memorial Day is an American holiday, observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Memorial Day 2020 occurs on Monday, May 25.  Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Unofficially, it marks the beginning of the summer season. Early Observances of Memorial Day The Civil War, which ended in the spring of 1865, claimed more lives than any conflict in U.S. history and required the establishment of the country’s first national cemeteries. By the late 1860s, Americans in various towns and cities had begun holding springtime tributes to these countless fallen soldiers, decorating their graves with flowers and reciting prayers. Did you know? Each year on Memorial Day a national moment of remembrance takes pl...

5-22-20: Well this week wasn't as good. More migraines and my knee bugged me more cause more rain and less walking. I'm slowly getting my novel done. Even if I get only 200+ words here and there. It's something so I'll take it. I will get it done. It may not be really soon, but it will get done. Lol I'm going to try to work on it some today (fingers crossed). I get my older kids today too. We shall see plus small migraine. Blah I found an app that I'm hoping will help to maybe figure out why I get them. Sadly I think it's my kids. Which I mean sucks cause being there mom I can't just get rid of them I need them and they need me. But going to keep try of my migraines with the app for like a month. Then make a Dr appointment and show her and then go from there. Hopefully, we take another step. Depression hasn't been too bad. Few ups and downs here and there, but over all it's been good.

May is Bladder Cancer Awareness Month!  Help us spread this message of awareness and let others know the warning signs of bladder cancer.  Share through email and social media.  You never know who you might help. Bladder cancer is the second most common urologic cancer in adults. There are 67,000 new cases of bladder cancer each year in the United States. Bladder cancer tends to occur most commonly in individuals over the age of 60 and is about 2 to 3 times more common in men than in women. Cigarette smoking and exposure to certain industrial chemicals (derivatives of compounds called arylamines and petrochemicals) are strongly associated with the development of bladder cancer. Transitional cell carcinoma, also known as urothelial carcinoma, is the most common type of bladder cancer. Transitional cell bladder cancer may present in several different forms, including: Carcinoma in situ (CIS) Papillary carcinoma Sessile carcinoma The depth of invasion, involvement of the bla...

Is Victoria Day a Public Holiday? Victoria Day is a public holiday in 7 provinces and 3 territories, where it is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed. What Do People Do? In some cities, fireworks displays or parades are held to mark Victoria Day. One of the most notable parades is held in the city of Victoria, British Columbia, which was named after Queen Victoria. Many people gather in parks to enjoy fireworks displays, which are particularly impressive in Hamilton and Toronto. For many people, the long Victoria Day weekend marks the end of the winter and the unofficial start of the spring or summer season.  After this weekend, gardeners can be reasonably sure that there will be no more frost until the autumn so they can sow or plant out delicate crops and plants. For the same reason, people with recreational homes in colder parts of the country often go to them to open them up for the summer. In addition, many amusement parks and outdoo...

Constitution Day is the national day of Norway and is an official public holiday observed on May 17 each year. Among Norwegians, the day is referred to simply as syttende mai ("Seventeenth May"), Nasjonaldagen ("National Day") or Grunnlovsdagen ("Constitution Day"), although the latter is less frequent. Historical Background: The Constitution of Norway was signed at Eidsvoll on May 17 in the year 1814. The constitution declared Norway to be an independent kingdom in an attempt to avoid being ceded to Sweden after Denmark–Norway's devastating defeat in the Napoleonic Wars. The celebration of this day began spontaneously among students and others from early on. However, Norway was at that time in a union with Sweden (following the Convention of Moss in August 1814) and for some years the King of Sweden and Norway was reluctant to allow the celebrations. For a few years during the 1820s, King Karl Johan actually banned it, believing that celebrations like...

5-15-20: Last weekend was good had all my kids which was nice. My 15 year old stay the whole week. So I helped him with school work. I reached 25k words on my book I am writing that is way exciting! I'm really proud of myself with that. My migraines have kind of come back after being gone. Not sure what the issue is honestly. I have all my kids again this weekend. Yay! Can't wait! I am supposed to work Tuesday night. We shall see. Some how I feel it will change again. It changed like 3 times just today. First it was I wasn't working then it was all week. Then it was 4 days then it was two days so in splitting it with the other person on the line. Like make up your damn minds. I have a feeling it will change again before next week. Lol we all went for a walk today. Which was nice. Got in my 5k steps for the day. Woot woot. The walking helps my knee as well so trying to do that as well. Now to just lay down for a little while before I have to go get my oldest daughter in abou...

In May, for Brain Tumor Awareness Month (BTAM), let’s bring the brain tumor community together to raise awareness and educate people living with a brain tumor. Our voices together can improve care. Primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors begin in the brain or spinal cord. About 24,000 people are diagnosed a year with a primary CNS cancer. All primary CNS cancers are rare, so often disease information, support, and expert care is hard to find. You are encouraged to get involved by sharing information about brain tumors with others beginning in May and continue after BTAM. By raising awareness, our hope is to recognize the need for clinical studies to improve early diagnosis, standardize treatment, and improve the health of those living with this disease. About Brain Tumors Watch and share this NCI video: Source:  https://www.cancer.gov/rare-brain-spine-tumor/blog/2019/brain-tumor-awareness

May 12, 2020: I apparently forgot to update for almost a week. Life is just really hard sometimes. I'm doing the best I can. One week at work (this week) is really easy, but then the next week is overwhelming and hard. I'm not sure what to do about it or how to cope. I'm trying though. Not much has changed. Work is still super stressful. I want and need a break, but we're not allowed to take vacations right now. I don't even want to go anywhere. Just stay home and not have to do anything. Idk. I just need a break.  I've been trying to be constructive and do things on my days off, just to keep my mind from wandering. That's, I guess, going pretty well. I started writing a new novel and after ten days (not in a row, just every day I have off work) I am 50% done with it. So that's kind of exciting. I'm hoping to keep this up and get a lot of writing done, but some days I don't feel like doing it or anything. I force myself to though and it feels goo...

26% of LGBT youth say their biggest problems are not feeling accepted by their family, trouble at school/bullying, and a fear to be out/open. Everyone should be accepted for who they are, but sadly that isn't the case, especially within the LGBT community. It is hard to be who you are in this world. The crew at Rock & Roll Saved My Soul are taking a stand. We want to end the hate and the bullying. I Am Loved is a collection of stories and poetry that talk about love and acceptance within the LGBT community. ALL proceeds will be donated to The Trevor Project Author List: Richard D. McGehee Brittany Whitmire Chris Hunter Heather Kirchhoff Renee Fournier Ashley H. Aimee Carnegie R.H. Ali M.W. Leigh Carol Frances Kate Marie Robbins Sandy Ashley Carol Cassada Vanessa Robbins Amazon Goodreads

Source:  https://www.thenationalcouncil.org/mental-health-month/

Since 1984, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) has declared May to be “National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month.” It’s a peak season for people with asthma and allergies, and a perfect time to educate patients, family, friends, co-workers and others about these diseases. More than 60 million Americans overall have asthma and allergies. About 25 million Americans have asthma (19 million adults and 6.2 million children) About 32 million Americans have food allergies (26 million adults and 6 million children) About 21 million Americans have hay fever, rhinitis or nasal allergies (20 million adults and 5.6 million children) These numbers paint a picture of how many people in the U.S. are managing asthma and allergies. But they don’t paint a picture of the overall impact these diseases have on people and communities. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) and the MedicAlert Foundation have teamed up to raise awareness about asthma and...

5-8-20: So like I mentioned last week. The next would be rough for me. It was. I spent a lot of time alone. I watched a lot of supernatural, I colored. That was pretty much it. I just kinda kept to myself. I'm doing better. I get my older kids this weekend and I'm super excited. I haven't seen them in like a month and a half to two months. We have so much stuff to do. We have things to paint and make. My oldest has Legos to put together. I think it will be a good weekend. I know it won't be anything more special even though it's mother's day weekend, but I'm super happy I get some time with all my kids! :D I miss them so much!! Which I think has been part of my problem too. Freaking coronavirus man. It's a huge pain in my ass. Im still off work next week. As far as I know boyfriend goes back so maybe I can stream something. I miss all my twitch streaming friends. They are pretty awesome. I just want some form of normal again in my life. One day ag...

Cinco de Mayo, or the fifth of May, is a holiday that celebrates the date of the Mexican army’s May 5, 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. The day, which falls on Tuesday, May 5 in 2020, is also known as Battle of Puebla Day. While it is a relatively minor holiday in Mexico, in the United States, Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a commemoration of Mexican culture and heritage, particularly in areas with large Mexican-American populations. Cinco de Mayo History Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day, a popular misconception. Instead, it commemorates a single battle. In 1861, Benito Juárez—a lawyer and member of the indigenous Zapotec tribe—was elected president of Mexico. At the time, the country was in financial ruin after years of internal strife, and the new president was forced to default on debt payments to European governments. In response, France, Britain and Spain sent naval forces to Veracruz, Mexico, demanding re...

Remembrance Day (Dodenherdenking), on May 4, is an annual observance in the Netherlands that remembers those who died during war and in peace-keeping operations. It is the day before Liberation Day. Is Remembrance Day a Public Holiday? Remembrance Day is not a public holiday. Businesses have normal opening hours. Observe Remembrance Day Remembrance gatherings are held throughout the Netherlands. Every year, people dedicate two minutes of silence at 8pm (local time) on May 4 to pay their respects to soldiers and civilians who died during World War II, as well as other military conflicts and peace-keeping missions. Wreaths are laid at various places, such as the National War Memorial in Amsterdam. Public Life Remembrance Day is an annual observance and not a public holiday in the Netherlands. About Remembrance Day The first Remembrance Day was held on Amsterdam's Dam Square in 1945, according to some sources, while others claim that it was observed for t...

 National Arthritis Awareness Month, observed during the month of May, aims to bring awareness to the growing prevalence of arthritis, the need for additional research and advocacy, and to encourage physical activity among the millions of adults with arthritis. Since 2013, the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) has been working through local parks and recreation to help people with arthritis manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. NRPA has supported over 240 local park and recreation agencies across the country in the sustained delivery of CDC-recommended arthritis-appropriate evidence-based interventions across 48 states and American Samoa. According to a program participant who joined the Walk With Ease program offered by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), Department of Parks and Recreation in Prince George’s County, MD, “I feel the difference. My pain has been minimized. I have more energy when I wake...

May 1st 2020: This week has been up and down. Has I neared today I feel more into a depression because today marks the anniversary of my dad's death and it sucks. It never gets easier. I'm a mess from the 1st through the 5th because his birthday is the 5th then on the 6th I'm like a different person. So next few days are going to be hard for me. Just got to try to do my best to try and stay busy. Not easy to do when I don't want to do much and stuck in the house. I did get a picture of my oldest daughter today. That was nice. :) Showed her what I have to do when she does come down. Sent her a picture of me and her younger sister and me and her younger brother. Which her grandma is going to print so she can have them on her room. I'm attaching the picture I got of her and a picture a friend put together for me. Miss you Daddy always will. I'll see you hopefully soon my pretty girl.

Marianas Trench is a Canadian pop rock band from Vancouver, British Columbia, formed in 2001 by high-school friends Josh Ramsay (lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, pianist, songwriter, and occasional drummer) and Matt Webb (lead guitarist and backing vocalist) the two other members joining after them being Mike Ayley (bass guitarist and backing vocalist), and Ian Casselman (drummer, percussionist, and backing vocalist). The band has released five full-length studio albums: Fix Me (2006), Masterpiece Theatre (2009), Ever After (2011), Astoria (2015), and Phantoms (2019). Discography: Fix Me (2006) Masterpiece Theatre (2009) Ever After (2011) Astoria (2015) Phantoms (2019) Social Media: Facebook Twitter Instagram Website YouTube Where to Listen to/Buy Music: Spotify iTunes Amazon Google Play