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

Library Update — Army of Angels: Part 2

Our big library board meeting was tonight. We met in a larger board room, so that more people could be accommodated. Everyone who wanted to speak was allowed 5 minutes. They just had to sign up on a list. By the time I got there, the room was full, and the list was full of […]

Library Update — 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

Daughters Day….ok — Army of Angels: Part 2

I think I have a love hate relationship with Facebook. It’s like being in high school, watching people display their victories. I like to share too, but in our situation, I have to be very mindful about what I post, share, and comment on. We are in a small town, and the dad does not […]

Daughters Day….ok — 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

Forging a New Path — Army of Angels: Part 2

I have been feeling a pull to step out of my comfort zone a little bit, and pursue a goal I have had since I was in my twenties. I always knew that I wanted to work in the education field, but I have had a passion to support homeschool families. I’m not quitting my […]

Forging a New Path — Army of Angels: Part 2

Here We Go Again — Army of Angels: Part 2

I made it through my covid isolation of five days, and then three more days of caution. I went back to work this morning, and by 9:00, I was in so much pain trying to breath, that I had to take off and go to my doctor! Apparently, there is some inflammation in or around […]

Here We Go Again — 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

Here We Go Again — Army of Angels: Part 2

School has been back in session for a month, and here I am in bed and missing work, with covid symptoms. Last week, I spent almost the entire school day with one of my students. He has a substitute for about 3 hours of the day, and I have been letting him have a break […]

Here We Go Again — 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

Comic Book Day! — Army of Angels: Part 2

Red Hood is my 16 year old. We walked into our local comic book store, and who should be at the door? Batman!! I took a picture before I left the store (Red Hood didn’t really want mom at this). I did some errands, then returned to the store. Red Hood said that several people […]

Comic Book Day! — Army of Angels: Part 2

Hiding in Plain Sight — Army of Angels: Part 2

It has been purely by chance, that the AoA teenagers have found a safe way to start doing things in the community, after the trauma of being stalked most of their lives. I just recently realized, without a doubt, that the dad has been stalking us for quite some time. When I realized that he […]

Hiding in Plain Sight — 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

Begin Again — Army of Angels: Part 2

It’s been a really long time since I have added to my blog. My body, mind, and soul were spinning and drowning…hoping to someday be able to come up for air again! That day is here…..finally. All of the weight I was carrying for my loved ones was further trampled upon by the domestic violence […]

Begin Again — Army of Angels: Part 2

Making it to 2022 — Army of Angels: Part 2

I’m afraid that 2020 and 2021 have finally caught up with me. The sadness, the fear, the anxiety that has come with living and dying during a pandemic….all swims in my head this New Year’s Eve. To add to it, I am weaning off of pain medication from my recent knee replacement. I can only […]

Making it to 2022 — 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

Dad’s Memorial — Army of Angels: Part 2

My dad passed away three days ago, on September 2, 2021. He was fine the night before, and gone in the morning. He had a heart device that must have gone off and sent a signal to the local Veteran’s hospital, because the sheriff and an ambulance showed up before anyone realized there was a […]

Dad’s Memorial — Army of Angels: Part 2

Where Have I Been? — Army of Angels: Part 2

I have been missing from my blog for quite some time. After a month of my mom being in the hospital in a touch and go situation, I herniated a disc in my back. Further investigation revealed that I had actually fractured my back on top of the disc situation. I went on disability leave […]

Where Have I Been? — Army of Angels: Part 2

The End of My Rope — Army of Angels: Part 2

I thought I had a good understanding of chronic pain. I have read and learned so much over the years from so many blogging friends and coworkers. It didn’t prepare me for this. I haven’t even had the pain a fraction as long as many, and I feel like I am out of my mind! […]

The End of My Rope — 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

Vaccine Gone Wrong? — Army of Angels: Part 2

Hello WordPress family! I have been silent for a while, keeping very busy! I am sad to say that my mom has now been in the hospital for seven days now. She has “covid lungs” according to her ct scan. She is having a lot of trouble breathing, and has been in the ICU for […]

Vaccine Gone Wrong? — 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

Much Needed Respite — Army of Angels: Part 2

It was time for some much needed respite! I wish we could take a break from the pandemic, which is what we really need! Until then, we have discovered that the beautiful Smoky Mountains are an easy four hour drive from our home. On this stay, we decided to try Dream More Hotel, which is […]

Much Needed Respite — 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

Confirmation — Army of Angels: Part 2

Today my 14 year old received confirmation that has been a long time coming….an autism diagnosis. I have suspected this for a very, very long time. We have had testing after testing, only to be told that the dad’s treatment most likely was behind the very odd behaviors. Well, it has now been a few […]

Confirmation — Army of Angels: Part 2

Grounded — Army of Angels: Part 2

Behold, the health department drive through line for Covid-19 testing. I ended up there a week ago. I woke up with a sore throat and terrible headache. Normally, I would have written it off as my body’s response to the drastic weather changes. But no, not in a pandemic! I had learned just a day […]

Grounded — 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

Whole Schools Close — Army of Angels: Part 2

This week, our school system closed three schools due to widespread Covid-19. One of them was the school where I have my office/classroom. I know of three teachers who have covid. I only know because they posted about it on social media. There is no transparency about it. Our school systems are just not equipped […]

Whole Schools Close — Army of Angels: Part 2

Scary Stuff — Army of Angels: Part 2

It is that time of year…time for some creepy decorating! For some reason, the skeletons make me laugh! I think it is because we are so lonely here, that we just want company! The covid numbers are far too high here. Our little state just moved up to 8th in the country, with cases of […]

Scary Stuff — Army of Angels: Part 2

Another Needless Casualty — Army of Angels: Part 2

Today we lost a 7th grade student to suicide by gun. This is the first time in my 20 years, that this has happened at a school where I serve. Our faculty is overcome with grief, as we prepare to tell the students when they return to school tomorrow. My sadness and anger intertwine. This […]

Another Needless Casualty — Army of Angels: Part 2