Published on Monday, January 30, 2012 by Katherine It began with my good friend insisting I listen to the book on CD, “Flags of our Fathers.” Me:  “Will it make me cry?  Am I going to hate it?  How hard is it to listen to?” My Friend:  “Just listen to it.” In other words, “It’s your history.  It’s real.  Step up.” Step up I did.  I’m not sure how many people pulled up to me over the ne...

Published on Saturday, December 3, 2011 by Katherine It all started innocently enough.  I woke up and began my birthday by driving the kids to school and going to work.  After work, I got the kids back home and decided to do something completely crazy for myself on my special day.  I decided to go to the gym. Perhaps this is where I made my fatal mistake.  By leaving the house.  Or perhaps not.  Maybe it was my s...

Published on Monday, October 10, 2011 by Katherine Before you judge, hear me out. Eighteen years ago, I was pregnant with my first child and my mother’s first grandchild.  At the same time, my mother began her personal battle against breast cancer. When I was eight months along, she had one of her breasts removed.  The first words I heard her say coming out of the anesthesia were, “Is my daughter still pregn...

Published on Tuesday, October 4, 2011 by Katherine Have you ever felt vulnerable, unsafe or sickened by the actions of another?  Sadly, I faced just that yesterday afternoon, leading to not only disbelief but to seething anger as well.  Where do I start? After work, I picked up my daughter and was on my way home when we stopped at a light.  I noticed some activity in the car next to me and turned to look.  Two ...

Published on Sunday, October 2, 2011 by Katherine This weekend reminded me of my many blessings.  My heart belongs to the sea, indeed.  ...

Published on Wednesday, September 28, 2011 by Katherine I’ve gone and done it.  I put pen to paper and wrote myself a book.  For years and years I struggled with the words, the characters, the conflict, the resolution.  And now it’s done.  A complete 800 page novel. OK.  So I’m lying just a wee bit.  I did write a book.  But it is a children’s book that fits on one single sheet of paper.  It took about a...

Published on Sunday, September 18, 2011 by Katherine When my first son was born I proclaimed, “There will be no toy guns in the house.”  <Insert Laughter Now> Yea I know.  New mothers think they know e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g. What I didn’t know at the time is that little boys don’t need toy guns.  In their world, everything is a gun.  Imagine my great surprise when I first saw my toddler pick up a stick...

Published on Wednesday, September 7, 2011 by Katherine Many of you are aware I suffer from the silent chronic illness, gastroparesis.  Typically, I have good days and bad days because of my paralyzed stomach. Over the last week, my pain and nausea have spun out of control.  I am still the master of disguise to all who interact with me on a day to day basis.  For many they see the smile, but when their backs are turn...

Published on Monday, August 29, 2011 by Katherine In the last two weeks, I have experienced: Headaches from swamp fire smoke that has come and gone for months. Tremor Envy, because gosh darnit, I didn’t feel it! My server was hacked. AGAIN.  Sorry, everyone. The beginning of school, and the slow breaking of my summer loving heart. And of course, Irene. Hurricane Irene was not quite as bad as some ...

Published on Tuesday, August 16, 2011 by Katherine Pot brownies.  Remember those?  I haven’t heard those two words together since High School. I will never forget sitting on the band bus on the way to Disney World, soon to hear quite a stir from the rear.  Whispering, giggling and snickering flowed like a wave from back to front. The cause of this hushed excitement?  Katey and Char were apparently quite high o...

Published on Sunday, August 7, 2011 by Katherine And that creeper would be?  My creepy son.  I mean creeping son.  That’s him, the creeper.  He creeped for me.  Which made my tears, well… creep down my face.  Are you following? Indeed, my son is back safe and sound.  His week in San Diego was giant, including Disney, underground skate parks, snorkeling, In N Out and a Padres game.  And do you know what ...

Published on Sunday, July 31, 2011 by Katherine Making sandwiches this week will have an extra meaning.  Because any sandwich I prepare will be blended with a mix of longing and salty tears. Believe it or not, my favorite joke that my middle son tells me is, “Why don’t women need driver’s licenses?  Because there is no road between the kitchen and the bedroom!”  I know I know, women’s lib and all that...