Honestly!

I am not good at saying no.

I am the type of person that says "yes" to requests because I am simply to scared to say no. It's mostly because I'm scared that the other person will no longer "like" me.

Then, after I've said yes, I go around to everyone and anyone and complain about it. It would have been better if I had the courage to say no in the first place. (Memory alert: it's like when I said yes to Jeremy Rands who asked me to my senior prom. I should've said no and we all would have had a better evening! Or, I could have said yes but then at least attempted to have fun. I pretty much avoided him at all costs and never once danced with him! Lame!)

This past week I had the chance to say "no", in a way. It was really a chance to tell someone what I thought, without emotion or anger.

A couple weeks ago I was working at the library when two unknown women approached me. "Are you Steph *******"

I said that I was. The next thing I knew I was being handed a copy of the latest Ensign and having a meet and greet with my so called visiting teachers.

I was mortified.

I couldn't believe they had tracked me to my work, of all places. I was trying to help patrons and supervise my students and they somehow felt it was okay to share an unwanted religious message with me. I felt upset and trapped.

I was very amiable to them while they were there. And though I was angry afterward, I did think the women were trying to be nice, so I resolved not to worry about it.

Then, a week and a half later I ran into one of the ladies by chance. We chatted about this and that, then she brought up the fact that she had come to my work.

"Yeah, about that . . . " I said. "I was pretty uncomfortable that you did that. I would rather you not come to my work."

And I said it! I can't believe it but I did! And the earth didn't spin off its axis. She apologized and said she would call and come to my house next time.

Honesty is cool.

Name the Heroine Contest

Okay, so my SIL Reagan asked me about how my book is going lately.

The answer: not so hot, but getting better. I now have 24 pages (5800 words). I need about 100 more pages before I can submit it to an editor.

The bad thing about writing a book is that I've tried this several times already and usually get tired of it around 40 pages.

The good thing about writing this particular book is that I don't think I will tire of it. It is also the first time I have had an outline from beginning to end.

I don't want to reveal the outline of my plot since this is a public blog. If you want to know the outline, email me and I will send you the plot. Basically it is a typical romance that takes place during the Victorian period in England. I am asking you all a favor, however. I think it will be easier to write if I can give my main heroine a proper name. Right now I use a lame stand-in name because I just can't think of one. I need some suggestions! My heroine is a brunette in her mid-twenties and is a feisty, intelligent girl from the country.

Feel free to submit as many names as you like!

It was a bust . . .

So we finally returned from our four day Colorado excursion.

It was a bust.

The weather was horrible; the roads even worse.

Ethan got really sick and barfed before and after his meet. Ry and I gave him the "Courage Under Fire" Award for competing despite his illness.

It was a lousy weekend.

I'm glad to be home.

Sexy Librarian

I just wanted to say those words. 'Cuz I'm feeling hawt today!

The Uncensored Philosopher Debuts

In order to maintain *happiness and joy*, i.e. civil family and friend relations, I have now created a second blog for all my controversial posts.

This new blog will be *my* thoughts, UNCENSORED, and likely filled with raw emotions like, oh, rage and or euphoria and or desperate longings for sweet treats and a massage.

But Stef, you say, since when have you ever censored your thoughts? Believe me, even in my angry posts you get the watered down version! But I have no desire to offend anyone, or say, have people remove me from their list of "cool people" blogs, so this is my solution.

The Cat in the Box Theory will be as non-controversial as possible. The Uncensored Philosopher will not.

I like/love/would totally give a free foot rub to all my friends and family and I value my relationships with ya'll. If you are among them, please don't visit my other blog if you might get offended at what I have to say (and you will).

That being said, if anyone out there is of strong mind and or stomach and would like to take on my claims and complaints in The Uncesored Philosopher, bring it on. I have always loved a good philosophical debate and will gladly accept comments in direct opposition to my own thoughts. (Note: I have even added an adult content warning that you have to click on before entering the blog as another stop-gap for people entering my blog.)

http://www.uncensoredphilosopher.blogspot.com/