You know, it's funny. They always tell a woman to "just get out" but lemme tell you from personal experience, if you don't stick around and document, document, document, you will continue to be violated looooong after you've left.

Here are three easy ways to protect yourself:

1. Don't get into a relationship with someone you aren't totally sure about or if you have even a little twinge of unease.
2. If you do wind up in a bad situation, seek out professional assistance, document everything you can and - once you've got your support system in place - get the heck out of there.

3. Remember, you can't do anything about the other person but you sure as heck can own yourself and your life.

As Em says, "don't let 'em say you ain't beautiful, they can all get f'd just stay true to you". Yeah, it's hard but trust me, the rewards are well worth it!

To all the nice guys who've been part of my life and who have encouraged me to go out, stand up and be me: thanks.

Wishing you much peace, happiness and success,

Penny (CJsMonnie)

I received the following message in an email from a friend today. While I may not believe that it will bring me good luck as it claims to, I really believe in the message.

To realize the value of a sister/brother
Ask someone who doesn't have one.

To realize the value of ten years:
Ask a newly divorced couple.

To realize the value of four years:
Ask a graduate.

To realize the value of one year:
Ask a student who has failed a final exam.

To realize the value of nine months:
Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.

To realize the value of one month:
Ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby.

To realize the value of one week:
Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.

To realize the value of one minute:
Ask a person who has missed the train, bus or plane.

To realize the value of one-second:
Ask a person who has survived an accident.

Time waits for no one.

Treasure every moment you have.

You will treasure it even more when you can share it with someone special.

To realize the value of a friend or family member:
LOSE ONE.

Remember to hold on tight to the ones you love!

Wishing you much peace, happiness and success,

Penny (CJsMonnie)

Wow. It's been a very long time since I last posted here and a lot has happened since then.

"The difference between fiction and reality? Fiction has to make sense." -Tom Clancy

My son is now 7, I'm 31, my uncle has been gone for almost 4 years, my RV dreams are still on hold, I almost became a Jew, I left Texas for New York and then came back again.

So much to catch up on, so much to unpack!

Wishing you much peace, happiness and success,

Penny (CJsMonnie)

I received the following message in an email from a friend today. While I may not believe that it will bring me good luck as it claims to, I really believe in the message.

To realize the value of a sister/brother Ask someone who doesn't have one.

To realize the value of ten years: Ask a newly divorced couple.

To realize the value of four years: Ask a graduate.

To realize the value of one year: Ask a student who has failed a final exam.

To realize the value of nine months: Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.

To realize the value of one month: Ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby.

To realize the value of one week: Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.

To realize the value of one minute: Ask a person who has missed the train, bus or plane.

To realize the value of one-second: Ask a person who has survived an accident.

Time waits for no one.

Treasure every moment you have.

You will treasure it even more when you can share it with someone special.

To realize the value of a friend or family member: LOSE ONE.

Remember to hold on tight to the ones you love!

Wishing you much peace, happiness, and success,

Unknown

After our original 4th of July plans fell through, CJ and I did what I grew up doing in South Texas: drive around looking for the fireworks (especially if you didn’t have your own or ran out too soon ;). What we saw here on this side of Long Island may not have been as snazzy as those in NYC but we had fun anyway! =)

Want to see a short video? Press play .. if you dare. Bwah ha ha ha!



We were trying to stay up later but alas, our sleep heavy eyelids betray us. Goodnight everyone!

Wishing you much peace, happiness and success,

Penny (CJsMonnie)