Trademark Scams, Huskies, and a Buffet Thanksgiving

Let me start by saying this: Trademark scammers are the Thanksgiving leftovers no one asked for. 🦃 You think the day is going to be all pumpkin pie 🥧 and gratitude, and then your phone starts blowing up with threats about losing your trademark because you “decided not to proceed with your application.” (Which is news to me, because I definitely didn’t decide that.)

It all started with a mistake I made during my federal trademark application process. Enter the scammers, swooping in like vultures 🦅 with their fake emails and “urgent legal notices.” Here’s an excerpt from one particularly desperate attempt to sound official:

"FINAL NOTICE: As you have decided not to proceed with the trademark application, please be informed that the filing will now be processed in favor of the opposition party..."

Oh, really? Opposition party? Who’s this mysterious villain just waiting to steal my trademark, huh? Spoiler alert: there is no opposition party—just scammers trying to freak me out with legal jargon and threats of cease-and-desist letters.

When I responded to set the record straight (and by "set the record straight," I mean tell them to buzz off), they doubled down:

"Yes, we are aware it’s Thanksgiving, but this is the legal department, and we are here today for only 4 hours..."

Oh, how noble of them to work on a holiday just to harass me. Except, fun fact: they never sent the “emails” or “calls” they claimed I ignored, and their scare tactics were as see-through as dollar-store saran wrap.

Here’s the thing: Filing a trademark through the USPTO is like playing bureaucratic Minesweeper. 💣 One wrong click, and suddenly you’re fielding fake notices from scammers who prey on small business owners. The federal system could use an overhaul, but until then, I’ve got a little message for these crooks: GFY. 🖕 I'm not the chick you wanna mess with. FYI.

Reset with Huskies

After firing off a “thanks, but no thanks” reply to the scammers, I needed a palate cleanser. So, I bundled up 🧣 and hit the pavement with my two favorite huskies, Ru and Kacey. 🐾 These two fluffballs don’t care about trademarks, deadlines, or scams—they just care about the crunch of leaves 🍂 under their paws and how fast they can pull me down the street.

The crisp air and their goofy antics reminded me that there’s more to life than scammers and bureaucracy. Sometimes, you just need a good walk to clear your head and reset your mood.

Thanksgiving, Buffet-Style

By the time I got back, I was ready to focus on what really mattered: Thanksgiving. 🦃 This year, Mike and I skipped the turkey chaos and joined his mom, uncle, and aunt for a buffet. 🥂 Let me tell you, it was chef’s kiss perfection.

Reservations only, no cooking, no cleanup—just plate after plate 🍽️ of turkey, stuffing, and desserts we didn’t have to make. The restaurant was packed, but the vibe was all gratitude and very organized. We enjoyed a stress-free holiday without a single dish to wash.

Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be about slaving over a stove 🔥 or obsessing over Pinterest-worthy tablescapes. Sometimes, it’s about showing up, enjoying the moment, and letting a buffet do all the heavy lifting.

So here’s my Thanksgiving takeaway: Don’t let scammers ruin your peace, don’t sweat the small stuff, and if a buffet Thanksgiving isn’t on your radar yet, put it there.

Happy Thanksgiving, y’all. 🦃🍂 May your inbox be scam-free, your plates be full, your hearts filled with love, and your walks be filled with dog hair joy. 🐾✨

PS - If you happen to love my hat, I know the chic that makes em’.