A Nation Divided

It's absolutely unreal the hatred and discord, insults and outright IGNORANCE being thrown across both sides of the table towards Americans who supported for their own reasons one or the other presidential candidate. It's unbelievable to imagine that an election would be the reason that friendships or familial relationships have ended or have been ripped apart.

If you ask me, the election isn't the root cause of the strife that has caused an end to relationships. People are. People who in their own infallibility and moral instability consider it to be the norm to bash, bully, insult, threaten or belittle others simply over a difference of opinion or perspective.

When I read the ugliness thrown across so many pages towards either the Trump or Clinton supporters from those on both sides who supported one or the other or neither for that matter, this is the image that comes to mind.

To any side of the supporters of either person as a presidential candidate, the HATE and outright IGNORANCE is so wrong! Attacking others in an election, with ugliness isn't a sign of a good functioning democracy either. It's a reminder of the raw ignorance and hate that has continued to reproduce itself across our nation.

Now that the winner has been chosen by the people, I feel that as a unified and distinguished country of many different people, we should be supportive of our new elected president, whether some like the outcome or not. America has chosen.

Personally speaking, I didn't like either option but those were the options. I was not in support of either candidate but not once did I or my husband Curt ever feel that either those who were in support of either candidate, were groups of people who were "this or that..." -the ugly references people are saying about either supporting parties. It's always appalling to read or see or learn that others are being treated ugly in this way.

Unfortunately, the candidates of this very election, they too didn't help much as they both ran their own smearing campaigns on both sides. What an example of grace or integrity.

But, we now have a new president and we in our family will continue to exercise our right to support and show respect for our newly elected POTUS Donald Trump. I say we pray for our President. As we should for all our Presidents!

Our Love for All & Our Own Furkids

Isn't it something???

Isn't it something that with [everything] that my sweet husband Curt and I are going through in our circumstances, that there are still people seriously giving me grief about their perception that I have been "irresponsible" [because] I have been working so hard to secure our little family that includes our cherished furbabies?

"Irresponsible" to their claims because they feel so strongly that I should have placed our furkids in a shelter- "Take them to the pound Leann... They are just dogs!!!" ... and NOT spend any money or the kind of effort that we have on making sure that we both secure our furbabies, but also NOT lose them all together! It is like there is a whole circle of people who just do NOT understand the LOVE we as humans can actually have for our furkids!

Interestingly though... A few of these people who insult me are the very people who are bugging me for loans of money and then get [disturbed] when I have to say "Not this time..." Imagine that!

I have taken both insults and even people actually close to us who have made the choice to punish us for our decisions in this matter, by literally cutting us off from their lives. It used to hurt me and Curt a lot... But...

It is what it is I guess. I can tell you this- I have spent my entire time since my dear husband had to turn himself in, to [prioritize] everything! I take care of my dear husband and my furbabies "No matter what..." In that order... Insult me.... There are GREATER insults!

Below are our 3 beloved hounds L-R Benny, Gabby Lynn & Dewey

The next picture is a Halloween picture of my husband Curt and I dressed up in our costumes: Curt is a Basset Hound and I am his version of a Bad Princess LOL!

And then here we are together- A married couple devoted to each other in life, love and marriage: Such as the people we are who are devoted to Animal Rescue and our cherished furbabies??

Don't we really look like such [awful] people??? 

My Moral Compass Is Mine...

My personal convictions should not be misinterpreted as being judgmental [against] the next person. We all have our own personal consciences to face. I'm only responsible for what I will or will not do and anything directly connected to my own moral fiber.

That being said: I didn't reach the age of nearly 52 being a [perfect] person. We each go through life carrying our own moral compasses. I like my moral compass at my age. Hell, I've earned my badges, patches, scars and whatnots...My refurbished over the years moral compass..

And I don't have to like yours... But I'm not the one who has to live with or answer to the moral compass of the next person :) And for Pète's sake! Please don't ask me "What would you do Leann?!?" if you are going to get mad!!! Because by golly I may not always give you the answer YOU may be looking for!

Don't confess to me or ask my advice or vent to me that the man you're falling for just so happens to be a married man! You're NOT going to like my feedback. And seriously don't expect me to side with you, or be remotely sympathetic to your claims that this married man's wife is giving you grief over your fantasy that her husband should leave her because you are his soul mate and run off with you and live happily ever after ???

I support the institution of marriage [period].

Our 1st Visit At The Trustee Camp

About our 1st visit at the Trustee Camp over this past weekend:

As soon as I drove onto the grounds I went through the security checkpoint and detail of showing my drivers license and opening my trunk and letting the guards look under the hood of my car. I was then directed to follow the road path to the trustee camp portion of the entire unit. It was somewhat strangely welcoming to visitors entering the parking lot outlined with shade trees.

I parked and did my routine of carrying in my coins plastic bag with my drivers license and keys and a thin blouse  just in case the rule of [not] revealing my shoulders applied here too; it did.
As soon as I was walking up to the Trustee Camp gate entrance, I could see other trustees outside walking around freely and noticeably [not] all in some tight formation with guards.

I noticed how quiet it was but the guys were just moving around like in a little community.  My eyes instantly looked to see if maybe my sweet husband Curt might be walking around. He wasn't.  I got to the gate and rang the doorbell. I waited about 2 minutes and thought maybe I didn't ring it right lol, when suddenly this female voice said kind of roughly : "Hold on!! I am coming!" Immediately I said : "Ohhh I'm sorry, it's my 1st time here..." She began to giggle and say: "Ohhh No no sweetie! I was only kidding. I am a joking kind of person...You're alright. "

I relaxed again and smiled as she let me through and escorted me to the entrance of the Trustee Camp Visitation area. It's also the main entrance to the administration area. In there I checked in with my drivers license again and went through the simple pat search procedure and noticed the lovely Texas Tech mural on the wall and inquired about the picture taking schedule. Every weekend I was told. So I paid for 1 picture.

I was then told to enter the visiting room and seat myself where I pleased! Not common practice on regular units. 10 minutes later my sweet husband Curt walked in smiling from ear to ear! He looked refreshed and just GOOD! I breathed in his cologne as we held each other a good moment and then of course his kisses made me forget where we were at lol! 10 minutes later we were called to do our picture here.

About 45 minutes into our visit I saw a man walk in- you could tell he was someone with ranking authority. Turns out it was the major who was instrumental in Curt's job placement under the warden, a trust based position at the Rudd Unit and who pulled Curt to the side and said he didn't seem to belong in there and later recommending he try to get approved for State Trustee Status etc as I mentioned before.

He came to our table and greeted my husband saying "How's it going Mr. Sowell". Then my husband said "Major, this is my wife Leann.." The major shook my hand and greeted me. We had a brief little chat of my thank you's for his discreet hand in Curt's placement on 2 units. He said: "Your husband strikes me as a good guy...all things considered. "He at one point said to me: "You made quite an impression with the staff at the Rudd Unit Mrs. Sowell. I heard nice things about you.!" He told us to enjoy our visit and left.

We enjoyed our visit so much! When I left my husband got to walk outside with me and watch me get into my car. He was saying : "Drive home safely Princess. "

It was a hugely much more relaxed setting! When I got home I walked in and the 1st thing that a dear friend here where I now live said was: "Look at you! You're glowing! " Then he hugged me :)

It's That One Percent Though

99% of the time I'm feeling great, super, or seemingly able to run life's marathon. But being human like the next person out there, there's the need for a period of a time out. I'll never ask for permission, acceptance or forced understanding of that need. Be it health issue related, stress issue related or just simple fatigue. I will and do take my time outs.

This morning I had to actually tell someone AGAIN that I need no permission for my occasional need of a time out. I went on to firmly say that unless someone is paying my bills (and trust me, no one is paying my bills... I've got that sewn up so tight) or steadily putting food on a table for me (no one does that for me either nor does anyone have to, I do that for myself with ease because that's just who I am as a person) or carrying my specific load or dealing with everything that I am dealing with personally.
..
That for ANYONE to QUESTION me about how I manage everything or anything, isn't appropriate. I reiterated that this person needs to go "Sit down somewhere and get your own self together!" I've got my own plate! 

If the worse thing that anyone can complain about me is my occasional need for a time out, then the problem is the simple minded complainer. As much as I personally enjoy having a great time with people... I'm most certainly NOT the Great Entertainer in any circle. I have quite a load on my plate. So pardon me if I cannot cater to anyone else's constant expectations of me being a always Up in air balloon of sprinkled sugar and gum drops! Lol!

This morning my husband said: "There will always be that one percent of people who are always going to expect from you more than they themselves are ever even willing to give you in the area of simple understanding alone. Shake them off Princess and keep on doing your own best to cope with what we are going through. It's almost over baby. " 

While the rest of the world turns, I am turning with it! Only my greatest burden isn't the scores of a football game, money matters, or a good or bad day at work. My husband is in the penitentiary and our lives have been majorly uprooted on so many levels.

I am not always going to be able to float across the air all starry eyed and chipper. So Time Out... it's my way to rinse and do what I need to do for me! We are never ever any good to anyone else if we're not good to ourselves FIRST! 

Only a small minded, self-centered person would have a problem with this

The Sponge People

Lol!!! I have been reflecting and meditating on something my husband Curt has been gently reminding me to stay on my toes about. He calls them the "Sponge People".


What does he mean by sponge people??

* People who are really [only] genuinely interested in what they can get out of you! Most commonly in the monetary sense.

* People who only contact you, smile greatly at you when they want something from you.

* People who will pinch every penny [they have] but dare to expect you to come off of your own pennies...and they think you are too [sweet-nice-gullible] to even see the trend.

* People who are truthfully [stingy] by [nature]. 

Once he said: "Aww Princess... I left my baby in a sea of sponge people." 

My reply: "Ohhh but I can handle this problem [anytime] I choose to toss out a STALE SPONGE Baby! LOL!"

You can underline, explain over and over in both a gentle way or an occasionally abrasive way too to these Sponge People the thing about boundaries and or the simple philosophy of moral decency in engaging others as you'd like to be engaged. And well, some folks STILL don't get it!

Why?? Because there REALLY are Sponge People!! I know this now... And I know it more profoundly since my sweet husband Curt left.

How do you/I best handle the Sponge People: That is simple really.
I handle them often like one would handle a horse. And I am not your experienced equestrian I promise you that!

But you don't have to be an equestrian to know how or when to pull on the reins. I am [always] in control! Add a little bit of patience and a sharp eye on the BIGGER picture...And strategy. I am a [very] strategic person!

I meditate on the little blips along my path and meditate enough to also know that I would rather [teach] someone the error of their own ways with me while there is still [time] to do so. People taking people's kindness for granted is a major turn off to me. So are people who clearly take advantage of others...even in the smallest way.

Sponge People come in the form of either friends or family unfortunately. But I am a firm believer that every dog has it's day-ok well, not dog. The Sponge People... One day they will truly be in NEED and the very people they should be able to turn to are going to hide from them- The Sponge People.