Guns Do Kill People and Other Obvious Thoughts From a True-Blue Conservative

If you must label me, you'd think of me as a Libertarian.  I'm an Originalist in terms of our Constitution, meaning I believe in interpreting the Constitution with original intent in mind while carefully and thoughtfully considering the times in which we live (ie. slavery may have been all well and good in 1787, but it doesn't quite go over in 2013).

I passionately believe that less government is best government. And I firmly support our right to bear arms, as well as any other right afforded to us as US citizens. I have been a card carrying member of the NRA. Not to mention, my girls have been trained on proper firearm usage and go to the gun range on a regular basis.

Dating After Heartbreak

Trust me... it does get better.

Dating after a tough breakup can be about as much fun as having a root canal while undergoing laser hair removal. But it doesn't have to be. I've been through the trenches and have some real life tips to help you enjoy dating again and feel stronger than ever. Really!

The last thing you need is sugar-coated advice on "how to get over your man in 3 easy steps." I get it. No sugar coating here. Only real deal advice, forged in the fire of down and dirty life experience. I've been there more than my fair share of times. Not in a Taylor Swift sort of way, but you get the picture. After my divorce, I thought I'd never want to date again. Date was truly a four letter word in my book and the thought of online dating made me queasy.

Not that I didn't like men or sex. Fact is, I really like men and sex. I mean who doesn't want amazing sex and fabulous companionship all wrapped up in a handsome package? I just didn't know how the heck to get myself out there again. And honestly, I felt less than confident about my dating mojo. I know you can relate. No matter how a relationship ends, your confidence is shaken. 

4 Post-Break-Up Confidence Boosters

"When life hands you lemons, make a lemon-tini."

That's my motto. I know breakups are never fun. But after you do the hard work of getting through it, it's your time to shine. All you need is a little polish! Here are 4 sure-fire ways to get your groove back.

Get back on your feet

"What defines you isn't how many times you crash but the number of times you get back up." - Sarah Dessen.

Sarah knows her stuff. There's no time like the present to change your Facebook status back to Single and loving it. Don't let that old baggage drag you down one more day. I know it's hard to click on that drop-down menu and hit 'Single', but you've got this.

10 Lessons I've Learned from Past Relationships

Why learn the hard way when you can learn from the comfort of your iPad? Easier said than done right? I wish I took my own advice sooner rather than later. After years of breakups that could rival Kim Kardashian's ex-list, I hope I've learned a thing or two.

My mom left when I was fairly young, so most of the dating advice I got from my dad sounded like this, "don't do it." Whatever 'it' is, just don't. And when my little 4th grade heart was broken for the very first time by David D, my loving but not so tactful dad said,  

"Stop crying like a little girl. You're better than him, now go play."

Thirty years later, I can see with an experienced heart just how spot on that advice really was. And experience has a way of teaching us lessons that we refuse to learn any other way.