CyberStalking & CyberHarassment

We’ve all heard about it.  We’ve educated our kids about it.  But what happens when it’s adults doing the stalking and harassment.  Because it is ADULTS it is not called CyberBullying, but it make the bullied person feel the same as when it happens to kids. 

According to the law, I am not being CyberBullied because I’m an adult.  And I’m NOT being CyberHarassed because it’s one or more persons hiding behind a Facebook page.  They have also hidden the “members” who like this page, so it could be anyone. 

All of my readers, fans, and friends know that I enter a lot of contests.  In every contest I enter, there are people that try to get me disqualified and if I happen to not get disqualified, then the people who are bullying me will post something to the effect that I cheat.

I have not won any major prizes because every time I enter a contest people will lie about me and make up a story so that I will get disqualified.  Then the sponsor will automatically take their word for it because I have turned the other cheek and not participated in their bullying because I won’t answer them. 

I’m  determined to NOT let the people who are doing this WIN.  I WILL NOT CRAWL UNDER A ROCK OR QUIT THE CONTESTS.  I believe in the Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”  I leave them alone and let them WIN their contests without contacting the sponsor just to get them disqualified.  I don’t talk to them.  I don’t participate in “voting groups” on Facebook or otherwise.  Although, the people who would say that I’m cheating are the ones that have the voting groups like Bring on The Votes  and Golden Rule Voting   and then the PRIVATE groups, where it’s invite only like Legit V (which I don’t have a link for because I wasn’t invited.) 

My friends know that I send out emails weekly, and sometimes daily, to ask for votes.  AND, if a contest is important enough to me, I will call them and ask them to vote.  Most of the families, I only have to call one person to start the chain to help me with voting.  I have incredible support from my friends and family that I have won a few small contests.  Although my small support group is not big enough to go against the voting groups and actually win a contest, I keep trying. 

A lot of you guys, my fans and readers, know the reason that I do the contesting and you understand that reason.  For those who don’t know yet, my husband is a Disabled Iraq Veteran with a Traumatic Brain Injury and has been off of work for over a year.  In that year, I BARELY got the bills paid because I had managed to squeeze every last penny to the limit.  The items that I have won in the past year are THE ONLY LUXURY ITEMS THAT WE’VE HAD!!! ALSO, SOME OF THE PRIZES ARE THINGS THAT WERE NECESSITIES like a stroller because I wore our old stroller out walking the halls of the Houston VA Hospital every time my husband was critically ill. 

The funny thing about all this, is that these people are spineless, deviant, and so immature that they won’t even admit who they are, not that I don’t know, but they hide behind aliases and fake profiles. Not one person will stand forward and admit who they are and what they are doing like an adult.  Like cowards they log their attacks under fake names and profiles that get discarded as soon as they make the attack.  The whole time these people have me blocked and I have no idea what they’re doing until I am blindsided or someone else brings their actions to my attention. 

YES, at one time I had TEN profiles that were used to help these same spineless people win in different contests.  Those who I have helped win the contest immediately unfriended me and blocked me and then stole those profiles.  These profiles were validated with cell phone numbers at my expense and were “valid” at one time.  These profiles were then STOLEN from me by these very people who were SUPPOSED to be my friends.  They were able to steal these profiles because I trusted them and really thought they were my friends. 

At this time, I DO NOT have any fake profiles on Facebook.  Nor do I have friends that I do not know personally on some level.  Most are family or people I’ve met through my life. 

My jewelry business has suffered because of these attacks from the rumors and lies spread by these people.  My blog has been reported as spam on Facebook, so that I can’t even announce new posts.  I have not gotten any new sponsors for giveaways or reviews because of these attacks.  These unwarranted and unjustifiable constant personal attacks have disrupted my professional and personal life and have literally brought me to tears more often than I care to admit. This became a HUGE issue five months ago, and I have tried to cope with it and ignore it and turn the other cheek.   

It’s time to grow up.  If you’ve got a problem with me, show your face and state your name.  Tell me what you want to say.  Quit hiding and quit being childish, we are not on a playground and we are “supposedly” trying to set good examples for our children, but how can stalking, bullying, and harassment be good examples for the next generation.  Your actions and your statements are there for anyone to see.  Your behavior affects not only me, but anyone who pulls up the pages you defile.  When an adult is as vicious and petty as you all have become, any child or person who see that can be influenced by your actions.  Grow up, take responsibility and stop harming others.  It’s one thing to be petty and vindictive towards me, but you really cross the line when you bare it for the world. 

Texas Wildfires and How You Can Help

As many of you know, I live in East Texas.  I’m particularly worried about these wildfires going on right now.  We live right between two National Forests, Angelina National Forest and Davy Crocket National Forest.  The Bearing Fire is now the largest fire on record in East Texas, and it’s only 40% contained.  The Powerline Fire in Jasper County is only 25% contained as of the last update from the Texas Forest Service.  

The reason I’m writing this blog, is that people far away can help also.  Texas Forest Service has a donation page here. What I did this afternoon, was take two cases of water to Hudson Fire Department.  Since it’s a VOLUNTEER fire department, there’s usually no one there.  I spoke with a friend there, and he said that anyone wishing to donate water to them can take it to Hudson City Hall located at 201 Mt. Carmel Road. 

I also spoke with someone from the Texas Forest Service and I was told that if you were wanting to donate bottled water for the Bearing Fire, the place to take it is Apple Springs Fire Department located at 14755 N. St Hwy 94. 

These fires are pretty bad in my opinion, and with the Texas heat, the firefighters out on the line can probably use all the help we can give them.  Please try to avoid going to the front line as it can be dangerous, and the water will get to the firefighters out there.  I know this isn’t my normal kind of blog post, but there’s a need out there, and I know that a lot of people can spare less than $5 for a case of water!

Please pray also that we get some rain soon!  I feel that rain will greatly help with these fires, and we’re under drought conditions as it is.  Thanks for reading!

Loveable Labels BlogHer'11 Getaway Contest

They annoy you, they make you laugh and cry, and they're always there for you when you need them. What are they? They are best friends! Everybody has one, and some people have a couple. For me, there's one person that has been in my life through thick and thin, and I call her Egg, she gave me my MarciMallow name.

Most people have a heartfelt story of how they met their best friends. Me, well...it's kinda funny. I was Assistant Manager of Diamond Shamrock in San Antonio, she lived in the neighborhood, and worked at IHOP. My manager had me working the closing shift because he knew I could handle just about anything that came in the store.

 

One night as I was cleaning the parking lot of the store, there was this station wagon that came careening around the corner, and literally almost HIT ME! I recognized the driver as a customer that came in every night and got a cup of Surge (man I really miss that drink.) The poor driver was shaking, and in a hurry. I checked her out, and she left the store in a hurry. I could tell she wasn't in any mood for even a "Hello". Afterward, I went about my business.

The next day, she came in again. Just like always, for her cup of Surge. I asked her if things were better that day, than the day before and she was so surprised that I remembered her, AND that I would care enough to ask how she was doing. She said yes, and that her boyfriend gave her a ring. She showed me the ring, and had to go to work. Thus, began our friendship.

 

This was way back in 1997. Egg and I have been friends ever since that day. There's some friends that you know you have a deeper connection with, and that's how it is with Egg and I. She has been there for me when I needed to talk, even at 2AM. The same goes for her calling me.

We've come to the conclusion that we are Soul Mates. Yes, my husband is also my Soul Mate, but with Egg, there's a different kind of Soul Mate. I've been there for her when she has had really down times, and she has been there for me when I've had fights with my husband. Last year, when my husband almost died and I had to stay at the Fisher House in Houston, Egg was there for me. She gave me a shoulder to cry on, and came up with me to the hospital most days.

 

If there is ever anything that can be said for us, it's that we are there to lean on each other and I don't think we could survive alone. We have leaned on each other for too long, that it's inconceivable for one of us to be alone.

When I had a miscarriage, Egg was the first one I called. When Egg is having a hard day, she calls me. We've both had our health problems, and we've both been there for each other. When I found a lump in my breast, she was the first person I called...AFTER the doctor. Yesterday, she found a lump in her breast. Her first call was not to the doctor, it was to me. Then I made her hang up and call the doctor.

 

Whatever happens, whenever it happens, Egg and I are there for each other. My husband knows that if anything ever happens to us, Monster goes to Egg. And if anything ever happens to Egg, her daughter (and her dog) comes to me.

 

So, it is with a lot of humor that I always say, "My best friend tried to kill me." There's not many people that can say that and mean it. And there's not that many people that have a history like Egg and I. She has the best sense of humor and is an excellent writer. She understands me when I start my "nerd talk" and will actually listen and have a true conversation with me. Egg is a one of a kind, truly wonderful person, and my best friend EVER.

Disclaimer: I wrote this blog as a contest entry for Loveable Labels BlogHer'11 Getaway Contest, but every word is very true as I love my Egg very much!