Curtis - regards the notification flag, we have that trouble ticket submitted to the dev team. This is happening on the pages with the newly refreshed design look. They are working on a list of updates needed and we hope to have the notifications drop down list returning soon!

To make a draft post, just save it and close the window. When you want to open up the draft post later for edit and publish, On your "My Home" page, then on the left sidebar > My Blog and "View Draft Posts". The other way you can edit draft posts, is by using the draft posts button you will see at the top of your personal AR blog page.

See my brother Craig Daniels comment. 

Thank you to Craig for another great answer & solution. Hope your now on your way!

Answers Curtis Van Carter...

1. Write it. Save and Close.

2. It is a bug that is being worked out...

Looks like Craig Daniels got you covered.  

It's Active Rain the Next Generation and bugs are being worked out Curtis Van Carter 

Also a work-in-progress, Curtis. Hopefully it won't be long as these are two of the top fixes on their list.

Learn so much when I get to a question after Craig Daniels has solved the problem.