Author: CJ

Feminism means equality of the sexes in economic, social, and political aspects.

Feminism is so much more than wanting equal pay and rights. It’s about standing up for what you believe in, wanting equal rights, pay, and accepting other women’s wishes.

That means not shaming women for wanting to be a stay at home mom, being the boss/owning her own company, taking her husband’s last name or keeping her own, or being the “career women”.

You might count yourself as a progressive woman but don’t shame them for “living in the 50s” or “stopping the women’s movement.” Just because she's a cookie making, apron wearing housewive doesn't mean she is pushing back or going against the feminist movement. 

They aren’t affecting your right to be the career woman. They are doing exactly what they want to do and that is Feminism.

They should have the equal right to be a stay at home mom just like you have the equal right to earn just as much as your male coworker or more or be the boss of the big company.

A woman who stays at home should admire career woman who has a family and continues working. A woman who has a family and career should admire a woman who spends all their time at home alone with their children.

They are making their own choice. They are deciding how they want to live their life and having that right is what the feminist movement was all about. Equality.

Men got to decide everything. They could choose their career path and their wives. Now it’s women’s time.

Our time to choose whatever path we want and we shouldn’t be bashed by another woman for what we chose. We should support one another instead of tearing each other down.

The feminist movement was created to accept each other and everyone has equal rights to do what they please without the worry of others shaming them.

So whether you're a career woman, stay at home mom, or doing both doesn't give you the right to shame other women and blame being a feminist for it.

If you want to read more of CJ’s work, go to her contributor’s page here. You can also connect with CJ on her Facebook.

I haven’t seen a trance or heard a single thing from you in over a year yet you somehow found your way out of the woodwork. Youfound me.

I pushed all the demons you had created inside me as deep as possible. I put away those insecurities, doubts, and worries about myself you had created. I had reigned some confidence, hope, and peace within myself and about the world.

But you found me.

Your harsh words came creeping back. They hit me like a dagger straight to the heart. I wish I could say I’m over all the pain and heartache you caused me but it was detrimental to my sanity.

You took away my innocence, hope, confidence, and belief in the world. You broke me.

Slowly chipping away at every piece of me day by day creating a toxic relationship. You made me feel the need to earn your validation, approval, and made my whole self-worth rely on you.

Once I finally returned to reality, my life took a turn. I realized the damage you had done. The horrible self-image I had created for myself from your image.

You had created a monster inside me and it had no way of getting out.

I slowly rebuild my confidence one day, one moment at a time. Taking in compliments from others, seeing myself through their eyes, and believing it was true. I had found a new happy place.

But as I look into the mirror tonight, I realize the monster you created is still inside me. I still see a vulnerable girl looking for validation from others or myself.

Somedays my confidence in myself is truly astonishing and others it’s the worse it has ever been. You created this monster without ever blinking an eye and now I’m left with a million pieces.

One day those pieces will all be put back together and a beautiful woman will remain.

If you want to read more of CJ’s work, go to her contributor’s page here. You can also connect with CJ on her Facebook.

It’s late and you feel like absolute shit. Instead of tube of ice cream, you pick up your phone to do some social media creeping.

You end up on your ex’s page or his new girlfriends because that’s always where you go. He made you feel less than and unworthy and you always end up back there when you feel down on yourself.

He became the first source of your self-loathing doubt. The person who made you question everything single detail and caused you to always second guess yourself.

It caused this void within yourself that anytime you feel unimportant and down you end up cyberstalking him.

Put the phone down before you go down the social media rabbit hole. 

Don’t second guess this move, put it down.

He treated you like the scum off the earth so why even go back to that source?

Block him on every form of social media and completely cut those ties. Don’t leave anything form of temptation.

He’s your past and as hard as it may be that’s where you have to leave him.

He did you no favors. He treated you poorly and made you hate yourself at times.

That’s nothing you want to be associated with anymore.

Instead you need to take that experience and put it into something new and rewarding. Use that relationship as a lesson on how you will never settle for that treatment again and open your eyes to how you should be treated.

He was a loser and your life is so much better without him. 

Those movies he hated? Go watch them.

That place he never let you eat at? Go pig out.

You don't need him in your life physically or thorough social media so put the phone down. Leave him in your past. 

Stop looking backwards and start looking forward because you should never relieve that past.

If you want to read more of CJ’s work, go to her contributor’s page here. You can also connect with CJ on her Facebook.

PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, is an organization against animal cruelty.

Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas had multiple wildfires burning thousands of acres, livestock like horses, cattle, and pigs, and injuring multiple people or taking their lives.

Those people who lost their lives were trying to save their animals, so where were you, PETA?

PETA has no problem bombarding those who go against their views. Showing up to rodeos, misrepresenting the dairy industry, and countless others.

They think everyone who raises cattle mistreats them in some form or another yet many people lost their life trying to save them. They had to put down family horses because they were so badly injured.

Others worked together to send hay, other feed, or donations to help these farmers and ranchers who lost everything in the fires.

So, where were you?

You're all about the mistreatment of animals but weren’t there to help save the countless livestock. You never even made a post about ways others could help.

All you did was keep posting about how these animals are mistreated, especially by farmers and ranchers. Those people you condemn risked their lives to save those animals you falsely advertise they mistreat.

Maybe you should go to these places and see the damage.

See the hurt in those families eyes from losing their beloved cattle and horses to learn about the people and how they treat and tried to save all the animals possible instead of getting behind your camera or computer to tell others how bad they are.

Farmers and ranchers across Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Colorado either lost their livestock, home, or helped those who lost something by donating money for funeral cost, brought hay, feed for the livestock, or fencing material.

These people have an endurance in them that no one can take away, not even you, PETA. So next time there’s a tragedy for people and animals like this, maybe you should help out instead of ignoring this tragedy.

Signed,

All Farmers & Ranchers

If you want to read more of CJ’s stuff go to her contributor’s page here. You can also connect with CJ on her Facebook.

Tomboy, one of the guys, guy’s girls, or dude is one of the many names you’ve been called. You’d rather spend your time hanging out with the guys, watching sports, and drinking beer than spend getting your nails and hair done with the girls.

Here are 40 things guy’s girls know to be true.

1. We’d much rather hang out and watch sports than spend hours shopping at the mall.

2. If it was up to us, we would have worn a tux to prom over a dress.

3. We would have at least changed out of our dress after the pictures anyways.

4. We’re totally lost when it comes to makeup.

5. Seriously, though, what’s contour and why are all these girls doing it?

6. We’d take a beer, pizza, and sports date over a fancy dress up one any day.

7. Our laughs are real. We aren’t going to do that fake giggle some girls do when guys make a joke.

8. A number of sarcastic things we say makes it hard for the best of guys to keep up with us.

9. We have no idea how to do our hair which is why you always see our hair in a ponytail.

10. The only reason we ever wore dresses was because our mom made us.

11. Sneakers will always be our shoe of choice.

12. We have no idea how to wear heels.

Seriously, we look like we’re just learning to walk.

13. Gamer girls are a real thing and we’re badass.

14. Basketball, soccer, and hockey are more your cup of tea. The physical contact brings out the competitor in you.

15. Your competitive drive makes some girls think you’re insane.

16. Cheerleading is something you roll your eyes over.

You commend their athleticism but would never be caught dead in that uniform.

17. Gossiping is not in your wheelhouse.

18. The majority of your friends are guys.

19. Your nails are always without polish.

20. Animals are your best friend.

You have no problem picking up frogs, snakes, and spiders, unlike most girls who would scream and run away.

21. As a child, your parents were more likely to find you outside climbing trees than inside playing with Barbie’s.

22. Camping, hunting, and be outside are your favorite hobbies.

23. The dresses you do own only come out of your closet when a wedding says it’s a black tie affair.

24. Action movies over romance. Always.

25. Wall ball was your jam in school.

26. You know everything there is to know about your car and a few others.

27. Nothing in your closet is pink.

28. Buying a new car or hanging out in a sports bar means you’re going to constantly be telling others you know what’s happening or how it works.

29. Guys staring at you at the gym is nothing new. 

Sometimes you even have to tell them you know what you’re doing when you head for the weight bench instead of the elliptical.

30. As a kid, you much rather play with Legos than easy bake ovens.

31. Dude is the most used word in your vocabulary.

32.  Going shopping with your friends and family makes you cringe.

33. Especially when they force you to go into super girly clothing stores.

34. Beer over wine.

35. You don’t see the point in wasting your money on getting your nails, hair, or expensive spa treatments.

36. The mind games girl play is something you never mastered.

37. Your upfront to everyone instead of waiting to gossip behind their back.

38. Fishing every weekend is your dream.

39. You have no problem working with your hands.

40. You never worry about breaking a nail or getting your clothes dirty.

If you want to read more of CJ’s stuff go to her contributor’s page here. You can also connect with CJ on her Facebook.

Sex and The City is about a group of four girlfriends, but let's be honest- we kept tuning in just to see who Carrie was dating next. One week she's with Big and the next it's her old high school sweetheart who just-so-happens-to-be in a mental health hospital.

She seems to know how to attract the crazy guys at times so here's a ranking of her ex-lovers from best to worst, starting with dear, sweet…

1. Aidan

Aidan was the absolute sweetest thing almost to a fault. The first time they were together he let her walk over him a bit but tried his best to make it work. He treated her like a Queen but couldn’t let the fact that she cheated on him slide.

The second time, it seems like the relationship everyone dreams of. They’re in love, living together, and engaged to be married. The only problem? Carrie can’t follow through with it.

2. Ben

Oh, sweet Ben. The places that relationship might have gone if only she hadn't gone rummaging through his stuff.

3. John McFadden

There was literally nothing wrong with him. He was a decent guy and even went along with her idea to go on dates instead of just being fuck buddies but that’s all he was ever meant to be.

4. Sean (The Marrying Guy)

Sean was a sweetheart but wanted to move way too fast for Carrie’s taste. In my opinion, she was the bad guy in this relationship because she led him on.

5. Sean (The Bi Guy)

Sean was a good guy and totally upfront with Carrie about his sexually which gives him brownie points in my opinion. The only problem was the party.

It just got too confusing trying to figure out who’s dated who and most were bisexual causing Carrie to feel too old for it all. All in all, he was a good guy, though.

6. Bill Kelly (The Politician)

He introduced Carrie to a whole new world. They were cute, happy, and everything was running smoothly till the golden. He turned into a jerk but she got her revenge writing about him for her column.

7. Sam

Sam was just what she needed in that moment but she soon realized he was just too young for her.

8. Vaugh Wysel

Vaugh seemed great. They got along and she loved his family who also loved her. The only problem was the premature ejaculation and how defensive he become.

9. Ray King

He couldn’t focus on anything besides jazz which honestly got totally annoying and they had absolutely nothing in common.

10. Big

Love or hate how he treated Carrie it wasn’t his fault for subjecting her to that. He was a total jerk but he was upfront about a lot of it. She’s the one who subjected herself to it and kept going back for more.

Besides, Big and Carrie were made for each other. He ends up going to her friends for support, apologizes for everything, and goes to Paris after her. They fall back in love and eventually get married.

11. Jeremy

Jeremy might be one of the nicest guys she dates but he’s in a mental health facility which makes it all a bit messy.

Besides as awkward as is it, the guy should have been upfront with her.

12. Wade Adams (Comic Book Guy)

He was a good flirt and guy. Dude lived with his parents and acted like a child.

13. Keith Travers

I can’t with this guy. He lied about everything from the beginning.

14. Seth

She met him in a therapist's office where he went for sleeping with a girl then losing all interest. The only problem is he didn't tell her this until after he slept with her.

15. Berger

The guy broke up with her with a post-it note! Need I really say more?

16. Patrick Casey

I’m not sure what it was with Patrick but he was just too much. He should have never gotten into a relationship but he did it anyways.

He soon replaced his alcoholism with sex addiction, dragging Carrie into the mix. The guy was just too much for Carrie.

17. Giles

He thought she was a hooker. There’s really no coming back from that.

18. Aleksandr (The Russian)

If you ask me, Aleksandr was the absolute worst to her. He made fairytales happen but he didn't really seem to want her to be herself. He talked her into staying in bed, tried to get her to move to Paris, and she gave up her book party to go to his art opening where he ignored her the whole night. 

Clearly, Carrie ranks second in his life, behind his work. Also, the guy slapped her in the face! He apologized, but let’s be honest- he really didn’t seem that sorry or worried about it.

If you want to read more of CJ’s stuff go to her contributor’s page here. You can also connect with CJ on her Facebook.

You passed away one year ago. But, it still feels like it was yesterday.

How can it already be a year since you’ve left us?

It doesn’t seem fair.

You started drifting away before you even truly left us. Your mind had gone and rarely when we talked was it truly you.

We had gotten used to fibbing about where your mom was or reminding you where you actually were, yet the stung we felt when you left was almost unbearable.

I still remember that day. I remember waking up late thinking it was a normal day then turning on my phone and seeing all the missed calls.

I was told that you had little time left but to go about my day normally.

It wasn’t possible to go about the day normally knowing you were literally on your death bed but I tried to anyways.

I went about my day- completely emotionless feeling like a statue. As soon as someone asked me what was wrong, I broke down into a million pieces.

I remember coming home that night to find out the news. You left us. You left for heaven and I couldn’t visit you there.

I felt like I had lost a piece of my heart.

I miss you every single day. I wish I spent more time with you. I regret not taking every chance I had to spend time with you.

I hate that I won’t see your face at my college graduation or at my wedding. I hate that my future children will never get to know you.

You’re not here for any of that and it’s nothing short of depressing at times.

The pain, sting, and heartache of losing you will never truly go away. I’m always going to be wondering if I’m making you proud and wishing you could be here with me. 

Wishing I could come visit and tell you all about my life.

Your death was a tragedy but it caused me to not only strive to make you proud but to do better. To work harder. To do things outside of my comfort zone because life is short.

The only comfort your death brought me was knowing that you’re now watching over and guiding me through life.

I want to make you proud now. I want my life to be a reflection of your beautiful spirit. 

I hope when you look down on me from heaven, you are happy and proud of what you see.

If you want to read more of CJ’s stuff go to her contributor’s page here. You can also connect with CJ on her Facebook.

Choosing a Capricorn as your bestie is probably the best decision you’ll make in years. Not only is she loyal to a fault, she’s also got a fiery personality that nobody wants to mess with. And when it comes to forgiveness, this girl has got the biggest heart you’ve ever seen. She has the ability to walk a mile in anyone’s shoes and forgive even the saltiest of people. If you get blessed with a Capricorn girl as your best friend, never let her go.

1. Capricorns stay true to their friends no matter what.

She’s the type that’ll be in a fight with you, and still defend you if anyone talks poorly about you. Only she can call you a selfish little hoe, nobody else! 

2. And she refuses to give up when things get tough.

Even if it means staying up till 3 talking about your feelings, she’ll be willing to hear you out because friendship means that much to her. 

3. You'll seriously never find a more genuinely caring friend.

She says exactly what she’s thinking and what she means. You’ll never have to guess what she’s thinking or if she’s pissed off because she’s definitely not going to hide anything from you.

4. She will always always always be your shoulder to cry on.

She wants to be there for you, she wants you to call her in the middle of the night with a shaky voice asking if she could come over because you’re having a rough night. And you can guarantee she’ll come with a pint of Ben and Jerry’s. 

5. And give you the best (and most brutally honest) advice you need.

She’s v logical and will overthink a situation until it’s dead. Because of this, whenever you ask for her opinion on something she’s going to be straight up with you and tell you that you’re either being dumb or a genius, but most likely she’ll call you dumb. 

6. Her secret is she always trusts her gut because it never leads her astray.

A Capricorn’s true superpower is in her ability to read people. Most of the time she can read someone like a book, which means she’s able to see that person’s true motivations. You may not want to believe what her instincts tell her about someone but more than likely they’re going to turn out true.

7. But she’s also stubborn as a horse and is the last one to back down

She knows what she believes in and if it doesn’t coincide with yours… you might have some issues. But she will only help you grow to be an even better version of yourself in the end. 

8. You’ll learn you can rely on her for anything and everything

She’ll be the first to remind you your credit card bill is due and spot you those few extra dollars you don’t have. She has her life so in order that it makes you the most organized you’ve ever been.

9.  Because let’s be real, Capricorns don’t have time for any nonsense.

This means she will push you past all of the nonsense in your life to help you reach your goals. She cares about you with every ounce of her being and truly just wants to see the best for you.

If you want to read more of CJ’s stuff go to her contributor’s page here. You can also connect with CJ on her Facebook.

Valentine’s Day is bullshit. Yes, most of us love chocolate and some love flowers as well. 

Everybody loves romantic dates but we’d much rather just spend some quality time with you alone at home instead of in a packed restaurant.

Valentine’s Day is all about love so here are 12 gift ideas to show your girlfriend how you truly feel about her.

1. For once, just shut your mouth… I mean that in the nicest way possible.

We love you. But all we want is some peace and quiet. Draw us a bath or let us take a nice long shower alone so we can finally finish that book in peace.

2. Allow us our beauty sleep, which includes but is not limited to a nap.

Same as before. We love you but it can be exhausting at times. Go take a walk for an hour or so and let us catch up on some much-needed sleep.

3. I want you to go through every aspect of this date with a fine toothed comb.

Call to make the reservation and call the babysitter. Take care of all the little details and surprise us with a fun night out.

4. Clean up duty is all you… for once.

Coming home to a clean house or car might just bring us to tears.

5. "Electronics blackout"

No iPhone, no business phone, no laptop, no TV. Just me.

6. Make-shift Spa Day

Whether it be at an actual spa, buying us spa products, or running us a bath and giving us a massage either way we’ll love it.

7. Take me away from this shithole I call home.

Take us on an adventure to explore a new city or state or just have a staycation at home.

8. Woo me with a love letter.

The best gift you can give us is from the heart. Tell us how you truly feel about us.

9. Make me a good old love mixtape.

Knowing those songs make you think of us lets us know how much we really mean to you.

10. A scrapbook full of our memories together… no matter how shitty it might look.

Putting in the effort to fill a scrapbook of our memories will be one of our all-time favorite gifts. We will hold onto it forever and cherish being able to look back on those memories.

11. Give us a heartfelt card… not a Hallmark Card.

Actually tell us how you feel. Let us know how much we truly mean to you don’t just add I love you.

12. Sit with me and let's just do nothing.

The absolute best thing you can give us for Valentine’s Day is quality time together. 

If you want to read more of CJ’s stuff go to her contributor’s page here. You can also connect with CJ on her Facebook.