Published on Sunday, April 11, 2010 by Katherine Years ago my mother bought me my first Square Foot Gardening book.  I followed the book religiously that year.  Perfect squares, water sitting in a bucket hours before watering… yup, that was pre-children.  The things you can do before you have kids. Fast forward three children later.  Today my daughter and I went to Kmart for dirt, seeds and plants.  “Oh,...

Published on Sunday, March 21, 2010 by Katherine Just before the school year began, I wrote about holding on to your heaven.  My heaven?  The beach.  Corolla to be exact.  Through these winter months, the ocean seems a lifetime ago. Until today.  For a brief period of time, my heaven returned.  And reminded me that today is the first day of spring.  And that after spring comes summer.  And peace, once aga...

Published on Sunday, March 7, 2010 by Katherine Sunday.  A day of rest.  But normally, not for me.  Sunday is the day I panic, realizing Saturday went by way to fast and gosh, the house is a mess.  The paperwork isn’t done.  The van is still a toxic waste dump! I assumed this Sunday would be the same.  Until my nine year old daughter nudged me in bed and said, “Mom!  Mom!  I have a great idea!”  T...

Published on Wednesday, February 17, 2010 by Katherine Today marks the beginning of Lent.  I was a good girl and went to church during lunch to get my ashes.  It brought back memories of years gone by, including my early years in Catholic school. Waiting in line with your classmates to get your ashes, hands perfectly clasped together.  Slowly making it towards the priest, one step after another.  And then it is you...

Published on Saturday, February 13, 2010 by Katherine It has been seven month’s coming.  It took that much time to get appointments set, get the money together and arrange for physicals and x-rays.   And avoiding sick children prior to the appointment?  Something that is almost impossible.  But yesterday was finally the day for my nine year old’s dental surgery. We walked in to my work yesterday at 9 a.m. sha...

Published on Thursday, January 21, 2010 by Katherine I will never forget when my Dad decided it was time to go shopping for a family bass boat.  I wasn’t in to fishing, often whining, “Awwww the POOR FISH!”  But off we went to the boat show, soon picking out a 1976 - 1977 gold  Ranger bass boat. We went on a few fishing trips, leaving from Bob’s Fishing Hole, and even took the Ranger to Lake Gaston for a c...

Published on Monday, January 11, 2010 by Katherine I vividly remember dreams throughout my life of a little girl that I knew would be my daughter.  These dreams began as early as first grade.  And even then, I knew I would name her Elizabeth. I was blessed with two amazing boys, both of whom I wouldn’t trade for the world.  OR for a little girl.  But my heart always remembered that protective feeling I had ...

Published on Thursday, December 31, 2009 by Katherine It took about eight months, but the failing economy has finally hit the Murray household in a bad way.  Google adsense profits are down ¾, as they are for many I’ve read about.  This was my extra little bit to get me over the hump of bills.  Now I’m behind all the time. My daughter needs dental surgery immediately, so I have to come up with $336 by January ...

Published on Sunday, December 13, 2009 by Katherine Last night I discovered one of my websites was hacked.  And I am MAD.  MAD MAD MAD.  I don’t know how it happened or when, but right in the middle of my sidebar were three HIDDEN links to other websites.  And they were Topic Related websites. When I discovered this, I had two Cosmopolitans under my belt and it was about 2 in the morning.  After removing the ...

Published on Monday, November 23, 2009 by Katherine Do you smell something burning?  See a little smoke?  Well, if you do, rest assured it is NOT my bra. Accepted in America today?  Let’s see. Talk loudly on the phone while checking out – perfectly fine! Commercials about mutual pleasure during prime time.  Oh HECK yea! Turn on the radio with the kids and hear “I Wanna Take a Ride on your Disco Sti...

Published on Friday, November 13, 2009 by Katherine I’ve had enough rain.  I’ve had enough wind.  I’ve had enough dark days.  I’m DONE.  Nor-easter, go away!!! If you have the weather channel, which many of us don’t because the power is off and on… you have probably seen news reporters standing in floods and wind, reporting on the “Nor’Easter of the Year.”  That would be ME.  That is MY homet...

Published on Friday, November 6, 2009 by Katherine Those of you who know me certainly have seen me hold my belly and growl, “I HATE my stomach!!”  My gastroparesis JUST MAKES ME MAD.  We need food to live, correct?  Well guess what… when you have a paralyzed stomach, food becomes your body’s enemy. There is no cure.  I’ve already blogged about my gastroparesis, so I won’t repeat myself.  But after ...