In no uncertain terms, I am truly blessed to have found my match in this life — my husband is a wonderful man. And, while I certainly am one of those Hallmark movie, mushy gushy, hopeless romantics, I promise that I see through clear, not rose colored glasses when I say how lucky I am. I know it.

I have never thought of marriage as something that would be easy. I have always anticipated that I would have to work hard at it, like anything else in life. Having a great partner does not a perfect marriage make. I knew…

Unpopular opinion warning.

I was never a dog person growing up. They were cute and all, but I never imagined myself having one, and never quite understood how so many people saw them as family members.

Now before you get out your pitchforks, let me add that I am allergic to most dogs, so to me, being around them was new and often scary. Humans do not like the unknown. [Plus, don’t worry — my fur baby is absolutely my baby, now. I have noted the error of my ways.]

My husband and I got our first dog together exactly…

Common misconceptions of intro/extro-version.

I love people. And admittedly, also hate people sometimes. We all do — people are complicated, sometimes excessively so, and that can sometimes be fascinating…or extremely frustrating.

Personally, I would consider myself to be a “people-person,” as, I’m sure, do many of my readers. [And if you don’t, keep reading — there’s something for you to learn, too.] People-people (sure, that’s plural), by societal standards, are said to be those who genuinely like being around and conversing with other people. …

I have been a social worker for going on four years now, and still, the questions never cease to amaze me. They started when I was graduating college, deciding what to do with my life after graduation, and continue still. Some questions, I believe, come out of true curiosity, while others are simply ignorant. I’ll include some of each here because…why not?

What is a social worker anyway?

Good question. There are so many definitions, and I’m not sure that any one can really cover it all. Likely the simplest definition is that from the Bureau of Labor Statics, which states that:

Social workers help people…

If you’ve been to a therapist, watched a movie featuring a therapist, known a therapist, or even are a therapist, you know that there are some phrases that seem to repeat themselves frequently in conversation.

While it may seem that perhaps they just run out of things to say, are being pushy, or perhaps just enjoy repeating themselves, there are actual reasons for these “therapist-y” comments. There’s a method to our madness (pun intended), I promise.

“What I’m hearing you say is…”

“…that you have been thinking about your own insecurities for a while.” Well, yea gee thanks, you might…

Writers use many tricks and tools in their work — some of them colorful, and some quite cringe-worthy. Clichés, for example, can often be a little bit of both. Here are three that I personally fine useful, and one which should probably be left behind in the dust, right next to your encyclopedia Britannica.

“Laughter is the best medicine.”

When was the last time you really laughed — you know, one of those whole hearted, belly shaking, deep, deep laughs that fill your soul? Somehow, it seems, laughter like this really can fix almost anything. …

I have always fancied myself a writer, though I’m certainly not alone in that. So many of us imagine being writers, though so few of us ever achieve that vision. In truth, I’m not even sure why I want to write so badly — maybe it’s wanting to see my name in print, or wanting to share with others what I consider to be a unique perspective on the world [which likely isn’t nearly as unique as I think it is]. Whatever the reason, I want to do it. Whether I’m any good or not, I suppose we shall see…