What's on Amber's Mind?

First round edits are complete. I sent them off to my editor yesterday morning. I’m not sure I like some of them. I’m leaving it to my editor to decide if they should stay or go. I let her know I’m not tied to them. She stated second round wouldn’t be here until October so I have some time to think about it.
I can’t believe tomorrow is the first day of Autumn. I feel summer went way too fast. This year has flown by. I return to work on Monday. After having eight weeks off it’s time for me to return to the daily grind. I have so much to do before Monday, but I can’t seem to find the time to get anything done. I think it’s time to find a sitter so I can do those little things.
There’s been a big push for help for animals. ASPCA commercials seem to be taking over the television lately. They make me cry. It’s so depressing to know that people can abuse animals. We have three dogs and while I’d love to take more in, there’s just no room in my house!
There’s also another commercial getting the word out that a huge percentage of people in RI have nothing to eat on a daily basis. This too saddens me. The economy and loss of jobs has left this country in peril. I wish I could save the world, but sadly I can’t. I wish the politicians in Washington would stop worrying about themselves and start thinking about the suffering citizens of the US.
Okay, enough of what’s on my mind.
Happy Thursday!

Abuse - Domestic and Animal

I’ve mentioned in the past that I escaped an abusive marriage. The reality of abuse and how it can lead to death was brought back home recently. Here in RI there have been 3 domestic abuse deaths in 8 days. It is the holidays and stress is a leading factor in abuse escalating. One of the men who killed his significant other had a long history with the police. No matter how much you report the abuse if you don’t leave the abuser you risk death. I feel blessed to have escaped with my life. Believe me if I stayed there is a GREAT chance that I’d be dead by now. My ex was a secret abuser. He left marks where people couldn’t see them – most of the time. But I got good at making up stories when he left a visible mark. This wasn’t a smart idea.
Now I tell everyone. I’m not ashamed to have been abused. I did nothing wrong. I’m brutally honest with my girls. One of them witnessed what their father did and the other I left before she saw too much. Yet there are scary things she still remembers. I don’t ever want them to be hit by a man or woman.
Another thing that brought this subject to light for me was the Michael Vick story. I don’t usually post about controversially things, but this really bugs the crap out of me. I believe in second chances. Please don’t get me wrong. I believe people can change. He got a second chance with the NFL and appears to be doing well. When it comes to owning a dog again I draw the line. Yes, he spent time in prison. That doesn’t mean he’s reformed from training animals to fight. Did he get special counseling? Was he put in charge of animals and shown how to treat them with respect?
When I heard the President believed he deserved a second chance my first thought was WONDERFUL. Well, Mr. President, why don’t you give Mr. Vick YOUR dog. Let him take care of Bo. In my mind and this is only MY opinion, giving someone like Michael Vick another dog is like giving a recently released pedophile a child. You just don’t do it.
When it comes to people or animals getting abused I don’t believe in second chances. Sorry!
What's your opinion?