In the spirit of the season, I will tell you what I am most thankful for.  I am thankful for my ability to speak my mind.  I am thankful that I live in a country that allows me to say whatever I need to say, whenever I need to say it, both with my voice and with my written words.  I am thankful that my husband loves me enough to listen and my children have learned to recognize what I am saying between the lines.

I am a manic depressive.

This week I received an unsolicited phone call from a publishing company.  It only piqued my interest because the caller ID had the name of the firm, instead of Unknown.  I wasn’t able to take the call at the time, so I called them back the next day.  The conversation lasted for about 30 minutes.  There was a lot of flattery, and tons of buttering up.  I knew right away it was a scam, but I was very curious how far they would take it.  Thankfully, I did my research before picking up the phone, so at least I knew what I was getting in to.  The number has been blocked now, so that they can’t contact me again.  Please, if you are a writer, don’t fall for all the glamor and flattery.  These people prey on our hopes and dreams and will do anything to convince us they are legit.  Unfortunately, they are very far from it.  A traditional publisher will NOT reach out to you directly.  That is why we keep a shoe box full of our rejection letters…. What you will read below is how the conversation played out.

I recently had the sheer displeasure of saying No when I really wanted to, but hated doing so, and kind of didn’t want to, but needed to.  This feels like such an oxymoron.

Recently for End of the Innocence Project I was tasked with speaking with some members about the content they were posting in our group and laying down some additional ground rules.  First, let me say, no one did anything wrong.  Second, let me say, the issue was addressed, and all parties were fine with the outcome.

One of the reasons that I love my husband so much is because he truly listens to me.  He actively participates in other aspects of my life without being a vocal participant.  Bobby has been very supportive of everything I do, both publicly and privately.  Although he isn’t listed as an admin on End of the Innocence Project, he really is.  He doesn’t like to be in the spotlight, he doesn’t like to stand out.  He does have a need to be heard and understood.  Many times, he speaks through me.  I see it as an honor to speak on his behalf.  This blogpost was his idea.

Maricopa County in Arizona has been hiring for all kinds of positions these days.  Our current top dog, Paul Penzone, has a commercial out that gets under my skin.

Two things happened back in February that stopped me in my tracks, but for very different reasons.  The first was innocent enough, but happening to, or from, the “wrong” person, could be taken very negatively.

Trigger Warning: