Awkward!

So sorry for missing the update on the cabinet last night but don't worry, I was subsequently punished. After reluctentley waking up to my alarm after my ridiculously late night, I was moving at a snails pace. I was not expected in the office today. I was having my back door reinstalled due to a break in earlier this month. *Pausing for jokes* Even still I had an hour before he would even be there. i mean, really, when was the last time a repair man was on time right?

Well you will not be disappointed to learn that he was not on time. In fact I was sitting there in my over sized sweat pants and tank top, sleep in my eyes and bed head, when there was a knock on the front door. I am a notorious screener be it phone or unannounced house guests, so naturally, my first reaction was to ignore it but caution took over. I peek out the window to see the big signed work truck on the street. An hour early? Seriously?! I really wish I could say that this was the low part in my story. Instead when I cracked open the door to peek outside and I stand there in total silence blinking. In front of me is a carbon copy of a coworkers ex boyfriend that I had been partying with a few weeks back. To this day I refuse to admit I remember anything that happened that particular night so for now we will proceed with the story at hand. So here I am wading thru flashes of alcohol hazed memories as his mouth is clearly moving assumedly speaking to me since we are the only two people here. Now there is only one logical solution when a man you so recently allowed myself to act a fool in front of, I slammed the door shut. Not only that but a made a mad dash to my bedroom to put on a bra, clean t-shirt and pants that fit. I pull the door back open as I try to tame my tresses to find him still staring dumbfounded at my door. For the next three hours I try to rack my brain on how I can figure out if his is the dude or not without actually acknowledging that I may recognize him or remember that night. The three weeks following the incident were honestly tough enough. Finally I just debating on calling him to see if the phone rings on the mystery man in my mud room. But even if I blocked my number, how awkward would that be if I got caught? There really would be no viable excuse. So, I left it be, let him do his thing and called it a day. In the event that he was who I thought he was I was not going there if he wasn't. I'm not going to be that girl imagining a future with every guy I come into contact with. And even if I were I'm not giving him the satisfaction of knowing that secret! In any case, the job he did was amazing! I love my new door!

There is a gut-wrenching epidemic spreading throughout our country. The symptoms are debilitating and deadly. The screams are silent. This week I would like to do my part to bring awareness to this epidemic.

Unfortunately our children; brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and cousins, are being preyed upon every day. In 2004 for every 100,000 children and youth under 18 living in populated areas, 775 were either physically or sexually assaulted. These are only the reported cases. How many more suffered in silence?

Girls are the most preyed upon sexually, over 4 times as often as boys in the same grouping. Boys however, are physically assaulted more then 50% more often than their female counterparts. A chilling fact is that most are abused by someone they know. The group the most at risk are youth 12 to 17 where 1,504 are abused of every 100,000 youth of this age group. It is speculated that increased independence is to blame as their social circles widen. This number decreases to 419 for every 100,000 children 3 to 11 and 126 of every 100,000 toddlers under 3. One child, is too many.

These facts are not only mind boggling, they are tragic. Why is it that this cycle of abuse is so strong? Why is it that these numbers continue to grow year by year? Why do so many allow themselves to suffer repeatedly? In the 2004 General Social Survey (GSS) 394,000 spousal violence victims reported that children were witness through sight or sound, to the reported domestic violence incident. This is 33% of all reported cases for that year. 33% of all reported cases. How many more went unreported? Where does change start?

Change starts with you. Knowledge is power, and you now know. There are endless ways to get involved at any level of commitment. Check here for ideas in your area. Please, do not turn a blind eye to their everyday cries.