Looking for Safety — Army of Angels: Part 2

Two young legislators were expelled from service. My state, Tennessee, has been under the microscope lately. I have lived here for the last 28 years. I have raised kids here, worked here, and made my home here. This week, I have considered leaving this state. Those of us who live here, have known of the […]

Looking for Safety — Army of Angels: Part 2

Book Time! — Army of Angels: Part 2

I have set the goal. It is time to share my story in hard copy form. I feel like enough time has passed, and the kids are close enough to 18, that the dad would not have time to go through legal channels to try to hurt them. The kids do not know every little […]

Book Time! — Army of Angels: Part 2

Tuesday Thoughts — Army of Angels: Part 2

My heart and mind are full tonight. Since January, transgender youth and lgbtq drag performers have been under attack from our state government. It is not looking like a positive outcome for the lgbtq+ community. I am already hearing from families who are trying to figure out how they can move to another state so […]

Tuesday Thoughts — Army of Angels: Part 2

Time For a New Way — Army of Angels: Part 2

My little town has had something called “Mule Days” since the 1970’s, as a commemorative celebration of our town as the mule trading capitol in the area. It’s always been the typical stereotyped Southern festival. This year, however, the folks who put it on, decided to update the rules for the “Mule Day Queen” pageant. […]

Time For a New Way — Army of Angels: Part 2

Happy Holidays From AoA — Army of Angels: Part 2

We are moving through another holiday season here at the AoA home. For the first holiday in a while, no one is seriously ill, injured, or recently passed away. We are counting are blessings and treading lightly through the rest of 2022! Along with the holidays, nature thought we all needed a zap of cold […]

Happy Holidays From AoA — Army of Angels: Part 2

Please Don’t Take My Freedom — Army of Angels: Part 2

Voting day is tomorrow. It is mid-term elections, which many don’t see as critical, but this time, much of our freedom is riding on the outcome. At 56 years old, I have lived my life enjoying so many freedoms that those in the generation before me, fought for me to have. I have never had […]

Please Don’t Take My Freedom — Army of Angels: Part 2

More Library Drama — Army of Angels: Part 2

Our little town has more library drama than it should. I have written before about a meeting that was held, where people were just aloud to voice their opinions about lgbtq+ books in the public library. Two spoke in support of the right to choose what you read, and four spoke for censorship of books […]

More Library Drama — Army of Angels: Part 2

Guess Who’s 14 — Army of Angels: Part 2

Little AoA turned 14 today! I can barely believe it. We have been shopping all month for her presents, because birthdays last a whole month around here. We had a small celebration with me, grandma, teen sibling, and grandma’s helper (she is like our own Mary Poppins). We had chicken and dumplings, opened presents, and […]

Guess Who’s 14 — Army of Angels: Part 2

Almost There! — Army of Angels: Part 2

Covid 5 day isolation was today! Tomorrow, I can be around my family (masked) and do some “normalish” things. I didn’t end up getting horrible symptoms during this time. I would say no more than light congestion, slight sore throat, and low grade fever off and on. I rested most of the time, and hydrated. […]

Almost There! — Army of Angels: Part 2

Rainbows in Our Small, Southern Town — Army of Angels: Part 2

Local elections took place this week in our small, Southern town. As expected, those with the most votes, were the very people who have been inciting hate toward our LGBTQ+ community over the last year. My little tribe messaged as the votes were counted. We were hopeful for a few moments…. I mentioned in an […]

Rainbows in Our Small, Southern Town — Army of Angels: Part 2

Dogs in Restaurants? — Army of Angels: Part 2

I love dogs as much as anybody can. My Basset Hound, Wally, is my number one buddy. We hang out together at home. We have a lot of “pet friendly” stores where we live….they are pet stores and farm supply stores. I can’t, however, imagining taking him to a restaurant! Wally In the last month, […]

Dogs in Restaurants? — Army of Angels: Part 2

Guess Who Started a Blog? — Army of Angels: Part 2

They say that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree….Little AoA, my 13 year old, has started a “Digital Diary” blog on WordPress! Hop over and give some encouragement if you have a minute and feel so inclined. https://queerlifewithautumnjade.wordpress.com/2022/07/10/welcome-to-my-digital-diary/ ~AoA

Guess Who Started a Blog? — Army of Angels: Part 2

It’s a Great Day to be Alive — Army of Angels: Part 2

In spite of the battles all around me, it is, indeed, a great day to be alive! I think often of my dad, who passed away this past September. At the end, the world brought him down and broke his heart. He served our country in VietNam, and paid the ultimate price for his country….an […]

It’s a Great Day to be Alive — Army of Angels: Part 2

The More You Know…. — Army of Angels: Part 2

Last night, as I was doing my nightly scroll through Facebook, I came upon a disturbing post. The politics are heavy in our little town, with many jumping on the hate train. This post was a local politician, targeting our public library, for having a display for PRIDE month (June), which included books for kids […]

The More You Know…. — Army of Angels: Part 2

….For Such a Time as This — Army of Angels: Part 2

As I experienced all of the trauma and fallout that came with escaping from a sociopath, and dealt with nine years of court battles; I thought that was the most “mama bear” fighting I would be called to do in my life. Apparently, that was just preparation for a larger mission. The AoA kids are […]

….For Such a Time as This — Army of Angels: Part 2

June is Pride Month — Army of Angels: Part 2

I did a thing this evening….our little town has a “First Friday” event once a month on our town square. Businesses are open late, food trucks are there, and anyone who wants to set up a spot to promote their business, church, or political agenda. Well, for the past year, I have served on our […]

June is Pride Month — Army of Angels: Part 2

A Little Weird: The Teen Years — Army of Angels: Part 2

No longer a child, not yet an adult…. Longing to fit in somewhere, anywhere….other teens seem so confident, and beautiful….talking and laughing together, about nothing….How do I make myself fit into this mold?….I sit alone at lunch, usually in the library…..Reading about human behavior, and trying to figure it out…..Where do I fit?…. I am […]

A Little Weird: The Teen Years — Army of Angels: Part 2

Dissociative Identity Awareness Day- March 5 — Army of Angels: Part 2

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) has always fascinated me. I have just started learning more about it, and as I typically do, I am diving all in! I have a personal reason to explore this now….my (almost 16 year old) teenager was diagnosed with it about a month ago. I had suspected this diagnosis several years […]

Dissociative Identity Awareness Day- March 5 — Army of Angels: Part 2

Back With the World for a While — Army of Angels: Part 2

2021 has almost turned the corner, and I honestly don’t know how I am still able to smile. I had a falling on ice accident in February, fracturing my back and completely messing up my knee. This year saw two major surgeries and recoveries…well actually I am only three weeks out of my final surgery. […]

Back With the World for a While — Army of Angels: Part 2

No One to Tell — Army of Angels: Part 2

I just learned a couple of hours ago that my ex- father-in-law passed away last night. I am both sad and angry. This was the dad’s step-father…..the most stable one in the group. The kids and I loved him….but he could not separate himself from the family abuse enough to have relationships with the grandkids, […]

No One to Tell — Army of Angels: Part 2

You Don’t Realize How Much You Do, Until You Can’t Do It — Army of Angels: Part 2

I had a COVID scare this past week. I started having tightness in my chest that remained constant for 48-76 hours. I was going to try to just sneak to get a COVID test, so that everyone would not be upset with anxiety, and I wouldn’t have to be out of work for a week […]

You Don’t Realize How Much You Do, Until You Can’t Do It — Army of Angels: Part 2

Adoption Application — Army of Angels: Part 2

Guess who is ready to adopt a rescue Basset Hound? After years of being pet free, we are ready to welcome a four legged, floppy eared, furry friend into our family! Our state Basset rescue does not have any Bassets right now, but I went ahead and submitted our application and did the “virtual home […]

Adoption Application — Army of Angels: Part 2

Is January the Preview? — Army of Angels: Part 2

Although I entered 2021 very carefully, and continue to tiptoe around, the unbelievable just keeps coming. Perhaps most unbelievable in my world, is that the dad has just submitted his intent to represent himself in a court case that he initiated against me in 2018. He has been through nearly 10 different attorneys since our […]

Is January the Preview? — Army of Angels: Part 2

A Different Christmas Eve — Army of Angels: Part 2

While the holidays bring images of happy homes and loving families, please remember that the pictures don’t tell the whole story. Be gentle and merciful toward others. Time has been a great healer of the AoA past. Eight years ago, Christmas Eve, the dad walked out of our house after pacing the floor, saying the […]

A Different Christmas Eve — Army of Angels: Part 2

Almost There — Army of Angels: Part 2

December 22nd…..almost Christmas! We have had a lot of fun this season, even amidst a pandemic. Little AoA sent out about a dozen gift packs to her pen-pals. In the weeks that followed, packages started coming regularly for her. She has had so much fun with her pen-pals! Little AoA never really had friends in […]

Almost There — Army of Angels: Part 2

It Has Hit My Family Now — Army of Angels: Part 2

It hasn’t hit my immediate household yet, but my nurse daughter tested positive for covid. She is just feeling like she has a head cold with pleurisy right now. She knows how to fight this battle! My heart just sinks when I think about her being sick. She was so worried about missing these last […]

It Has Hit My Family Now — Army of Angels: Part 2

Relief for the Holidays — Army of Angels: Part 2

Today, a huge holiday weight was lifted from my shoulders. We had court scheduled for December 30th. The dad filed a motion against me back in 2018, because the kids were not both ready for visits. Within a few months of his filing, both kids started visits. Then, two months later….BAM! Covid hit! The visit […]

Relief for the Holidays — Army of Angels: Part 2

Making Friends — Army of Angels: Part 2

Child development took a detour! Our children are doing the best they can. They should not have to worry about spreading an illness….period. I am getting on my soap box for a minute. What our kids need now is not more testing! Teach them…..teach them….love them…..play games with them…..challenge them…….they are surviving a pandemic! Family […]

Making Friends — Army of Angels: Part 2

Holiday Time in My Corner — Army of Angels: Part 2

The holiday season may be a little tangled this year, but there is still JOY! I just worked a full week in person, for the first time in over a month! Unfortunately, that may have been the last full week for a while. It looks like our whole county will be remote schooling by the […]

Holiday Time in My Corner — Army of Angels: Part 2

Only the Lawyers “Win” — Army of Angels: Part 2

Most of the time, we get to choose whether we engage in a battle or argument. We get to analyze it, and decide whether it is worth our time and energy. When a vindictive ex spouse dedicates his or her time and money to taking you to court, there isn’t really a choice. You hire […]

Only the Lawyers “Win” — Army of Angels: Part 2

Sitter for Next Time! — Army of Angels: Part 2

I took a two day respite trip with Little AoA! What could go wrong? We needed a short respite time. Everyone we left at home had what they would need for several days; food, clean house, paper products, and so on. My adult kids were aware that the grandparents would be there, and may need […]

Sitter for Next Time! — Army of Angels: Part 2

Holiday Season: 2020 — Army of Angels: Part 2

The holiday season has officially started, and it is a welcome distraction from the pandemic world. We ate our traditional turkey dinner on Wednesday….because we could. No company…no extended family…just our “pandemic pod”. My adult son took a to-go plate, as he is fairly certain that he has been exposed to covid at his new […]

Holiday Season: 2020 — Army of Angels: Part 2

They Sent Us Remote — Army of Angels: Part 2

It finally happened….our whole school system moved to remote learning. The covid numbers in our county have reached the level of “high spread”. Many teachers are out with either positive covid cases or symptoms. There aren’t enough substitute teachers to keep up with the need. Parents want their kids in school, but I guess not […]

They Sent Us Remote — Army of Angels: Part 2

What About This Neverending Election?! — Army of Angels: Part 2

Tuesday night was a tense night, as people everywhere waited to see how the presidential election results would unfold. Some states, like mine, are ALWAYS the same. It turns into a red state.every.time.fast. Nothing new to see here. Then came the other states….red-blue-red-blue…….on and on through the night. Next, the stall out! Some states had […]

What About This Neverending Election?! — Army of Angels: Part 2