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Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Trumped Up Survey ...

In college at Sam Houston State I minored in Political Science. That was back when I was naive enough to think I could help change the world and wanted to become an activist or lobbyist, then one day president. Pipe dreams, what can I say? I was young, I had hope...

Flash forward 13 years since graduating from SHSU and deep down I still hope that one day I can help change the world I however now just regret never following that dream, or hell any of my dreams. But I still have passion and still wish I could be involved.

This morning when I went to the mailbox and saw that ‘President Trump’ had sent me a survey through the RNC to obtain MY ‘grassroot’ opinion I was kinda excited to fill out the survey. Because I have a lot of opinions about what is going on in this world of ours and yes I want someone to hear my thoughts.

Of course it came in all official looking paper with a document code and a registration number. My first middle and last name were on it and it even included a letter from the president! Ohh, getting more exciting right?

Now I know that I am in a vast minority of my friends and probably my followers of my blog/author stuff in being a Republican and having voted for President Trump. I’m not ashamed, I just, have my reasons. I couldn’t vote for Hillary. So we will end the subject there. And no, that does not mean that everything the president has done I support because I would take his twitter app off his phone if I had the power to for sure. That being said … I was hopeful that with this letter included in the survey would help lead to an independent opinion of the matters facing the country.

First, the letter he (or probably a staff writer) wrote was just as boisterous as his speeches. To the point that words were bolded, capitalized and even underlined for emphasis on the RNC’s agenda. I didn’t need a very small list of summaries on the items the gov’t accomplished in 2017. The fact the letter had to be spaced the way it did is kinda sad. Yes I agree the main stream media is being pretty awful and manipulative and the democrats are road blocking a lot of progress, but pointing that out in a letter to the members of the Republican Party is going to further divide the country, not bring unity.

This is the crap I can’t get on board with, RNC. I don’t know if this was from President Trump or if they just used his branding but it was a major turn off for me and I hadn’t even looked at the survey yet. After I read the three pages of jargon that was right leaning and not close to bi-partisan (kinda hypocritical if you ask me) I rolled my eyes at the end when it asked for a contribution. After placing the letter aside I began to evaluate the survey.

It was basic, and right leaning. For me, someone who is about 60% republican 40% democrat this survey was a letdown. I know how they want me to answer it because the questions again felt leading.

Anyone who has studied surveys can tell you that you can manipulate and manufacture results anyway you want to. It is in how you word the sentences for the question or the answer choice.

I liked question 11, where it asked what my opinion was on what should be the top priority of the President. I answered balancing the federal budget. Because honestly, if we can’t even get our money right none of it matters because we will end up broke and out of our place as the top country.

So my excitement for this survey had dwindled down some but I was still going to send it off. Until question 12 hit … I am going to type it word for word.

12. Will you make a commitment to work with President Trump and the Republican Party to promote his agenda and elect candidates in 2018 that are dedicated to Making America Great Again?
Answers:
-YES! President Trump, you can count on me. I am pledging my support with a contribution to the Republican National Committee of:
$25, $50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000 or other
-No, I cannot make a commitment today, but I support our President and his agenda. I am returning my survey document with a contribution of $15 to cover processing.
-No, I do not support President Trump and Republicans in Congress

Signature ______________________________ Date___________
                     (Legal Name Pre-Typed Here)

So, President Trump and the RNC, are you saying you want my opinion, ONLY if I give you money? Let me also add the return envelope requires a stamp, they couldn’t even spring to cover postage. Yeah this offends me.

What a bias survey. This means that ONLY the people with A) an extra stamp laying around and B) extra money that they WANT to donate to a cause they may or may not find useful will respond. More often than not only the diehard republicans (which I am not) will send back this survey. And of course, if you are a diehard republican you are going to answer yes to all of the right leaning questions. Which means the answers are skewed … this is not a true sample of any part of the country then. It’s a sample of the republicans who can afford a stamp and a donation.


I’m not saying I can’t afford a stamp and a donation, I am saying, I’m not giving it. You want my opinion for a survey then you take my opinion, you don’t make me PAY YOU to give it. That is beyond insulting. As I said the inner political scientist in me is offended and the college student who wanted to become a lobbyist is in an uproar.

So here is my opinion RNC and President Trump …

Everyone in Washington is dragging their feet and playing the blame game. Shit isn’t getting done because no one wants to compromise. Yes the media is really screwing around with things and yes I believe the President has a bad shake from the news. But honestly … he does it to himself. If he would just stay the F off twitter then like 80% of it would probably go away. No I don’t want to get into a nuclear war over in Asia, no I don’t want the focus to be the border wall, yes I want to stop illegal immigration but more importantly I want someone to fix our health care system without taking away benefits to the elderly, youth and disabled.

There, for what it’s worth, that’s Ashley’s 2 cents.

Super disappointed with the political parties we have to choose from today. Both of them are bad and need to be done away with. I truly had hoped he would ‘drain the swamp’ but it hasn’t happened really. So RNC, maybe you shouldn’t send me a mailer asking me to help with your grassroots effort. Because I have never once voted straight ticket and I never plan on it.

I included the images just to share so you all could see for yourself and make your own opinion.

Thursday, February 15, 2018

Finding the time to write…

As a writer I had become accustom to writers block. This seemed a normal par for the course when it comes to building worlds and creating characters. What I truly didn’t understand was the challenge of fitting time in to write while you are parenting.

It’s been two and a half years since we got our kiddos and I still haven’t mastered any resemblance of schedule on how to include writing into even a weekly activity. At this current rate I will put out only a single novel a year and truly I would love to do at least two or three. Last year it took me a year to produce HoneySuckle Love. While I think it is a quality story I do wish that I would have been more diligent on my pursuit.

Right now I am working on a YA Dystopian, The Ones Who Lived, and I think I have about a third of it written so far. But wouldn’t it be nice if I could kick it into gear and have it out by ComicPalooza time? Hell Yeah it would!

I sometimes wonder, “What’s wrong with me?” but then I remember, ‘Oh yeah … the mom thing…’ There has to be a balance somewhere. Somehow, I am open to suggestions!

How do you other parents make time for YOU and the things that YOU like doing? I work the 40 hours a week, 7-4 job, come home and put on the mom hat and then once that is done toss it aside to be a wife. Where is there time to be an individual?

The truly sad part is I have to plan out just a couple hours a week for me to relax. It’s insane how busy we are lately. I have stuff planned into 2019 even! I would prob go crazy if I ever lost my planner so let’s pray to God that it never disappears. I have a co-worker that threatens to hide it from me. Oh she better not!

Take for example one of my good friends, D. He and his family have been talking about coming over for months now. MONTHS! It literally takes MONTHS in advanced for me to find the time that the hubby and I are free, on a weekend, for 6 hours, in order to do something as simple as breaking bread with a close friend.

My therapist has told me that the hubby and I need to put ourselves first and we keep saying we are going to. And as I write out this crazy random blog the insanity of my kids ruling my life is slapping me in the face. When did I lose my power and authority? How did this happen?

Is it my priorities or is it my levels of urgency?

Ashley … YOU HAVE TO MAKE TIME FOR YOU!!! I keep telling myself this yet I never do.
Okay, tomorrow … I am making time for me. There I said it, I put it in writing and it’s on the internet, it has to be now done now.


But in all reality … I am truly curious, how do you all make time for yourselves?

Here is a snap shot of my planner ... do you see my Saturday?? #CRAZINESS

Monday, February 12, 2018

Review: The Witch Is Back by Stacy A, Moran


Title: The Witch is Back
Author: Stacy A. Moran
Source: Given for free in exchange for an honest review
Amazon Link: Purchase

Blurb:

Tabitha Ashworth is a lot of things, a daughter, a writer, and a reluctant witch. She was also a runner, not a grab your tennis shoes, let's take on a marathon kind of runner.

No, she has been running from her past and her heritage her entire life. She's avoided her hometown for nearly a decade but after a cryptic call from her mother, she is summoned back home.

From the moment she arrived back in Graveton County she was flooded with her past and realization her running days are over.

Welcome to Graveton County where the haunted town is make believe but the witches are real.

Review:

What a cozy mystery! Def a different take on small town life. This crew of bubbly, delightful and crazy women make you laugh as they take you through their small town’s journey into a murder. The twist and turns of the plot are heightened by the friendly personality that the ‘witches’ play with one another. GiGi’s hit list, Tabby’s quick wit personality, the sherrif’s patience in dealing with these witches as they continue to botch up his investigation.

It makes you smile as you read.

I have read a lot of cozy mysteries and this one is right up there with an easy going, care free, kick back and relax read. I love how all the female character names came from television witches and that adds all the more fun to the mix.

It almost makes you wonder if that is what real life in small town West Virginia is really like ,...

Grab a copy today and see for yourself, you won’t regret it.

Solid 4.5 Stars!