Talking to Strangers

Talking to Strangers

Do strangers tell you things? Do you regularly make friends with strangers? Here are three stories about strangers I’ve met.

The Van

The Van

Sleeping in the van that night with the sound of the rain on the roof was so relaxing. It’s hard to explain just how good it felt that this thing I had been dreaming about doing for so long was finally happening. But the story only gets better from there, because I was about to meet Ed Jr. 

The Roads We Travel 

The Roads We Travel 

This post is part of a project to post a photo and a 1,500+ word story every day for 100 days in a row. Today is day 2 In an effort to streamline this project, I’ve spent the last couple of days sorting through photos to potentially use. It’s been a mix of...
Embracing Imperfection

Embracing Imperfection

I went from living in what appeared to be the perfect neighborhood, in a great house, with the perfect little family, to having my entire life fall apart in a very public way. I got a whole lot better at being myself when perfection was no longer the goal. #100DaysOfStories

Book Review: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Book Review: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

If you’re looking for a new story to immerse yourself in while forgetting about the world for a few days, or at least tune the world out while you travel to other planetary systems, give this book a listen. Treat yourself to a fantastic adventure, science that feels comprehensible, witty commentary and well, a story that is out of this world. #SorryNotSorry 

How To Be a Quitter

How To Be a Quitter

Learning how to quit the things that weren’t working for me, without shame and guilt, has brought me more joy and more opportunities in my life.

Book Review: High Conflict: Why We Get Trapped and How We Get Out by Amanda Ripley

Book Review: High Conflict: Why We Get Trapped and How We Get Out by Amanda Ripley

Conflict is a normal part of the human experience. It helps us change and move forward. However, high conflict situations, where there is no progress made, are taking over most discourse in America. The book High Conflict: Why we get stuck and how we get out covers high conflict situations and makes recommendations for removing yourself from conflict that isn’t productive.

Ask Amber: Overcoming Trauma

Ask Amber: Overcoming Trauma

How do you deal with triggers that keep bringing trauma back when you thought you dealt with it years ago? How do you stop reliving the nightmare?

For Sale: The Slut Couch

For Sale: The Slut Couch

It wasn’t about the couch as much as what the couch represented. I didn’t know what it would look like, but I knew what it would *feel* like. Freedom. Independence. Safety.

Trump is gone. Biden was inaugurated. So why don’t I feel better?

Trump is gone. Biden was inaugurated. So why don’t I feel better?

This morning, as I watched the inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, I kept waiting for the anxiety of the last four years to dissipate. This anxiety was only amplified during the last year because of the pandemic and then multiplied on January 6. I wanted to feel relief, happiness and hope, and while I did, to a point, the anxiety and grief I’ve been carrying were all still very present, with a new sense of… unsettled weirdness.

But, that’s what the residual emotion of trauma feels like.

For sale: Six-man deep, deep-freezer

For sale: Six-man deep, deep-freezer

I am not a serial killer. But if I were, this would be the freezer I would use to store bodies until I could dispose of them without arousing suspicion.

Found: Lost Dog, answers to Susan.

Found: Lost Dog, answers to Susan.

This listing for a lost dog was listed in Sept 2018. We never did have anyone credible claim Susan. Despite my insistence I didn’t want a dog, we kept her. Turns out I needed her as much as she needed me. Turns out I’m also the sort of dog mom that calls myself a dog mom and has an instagram account for said dog. I’m not even a little sad about that.

Why I Left the Mormon Church

Why I Left the Mormon Church

Why do people leave the LDS church? The answer is usually quite complicated. For me? It’s a long story. But I’m happy to tell it to those who want to listen.