The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly

Yes, I know that's the title of an old western movie, but I couldn't think of a better title. I haven't had my coffee yet. Sue me. Last night my subconscious went to work once more, proving yet again it has a sense of humor but also takes immense pleasure in my pain. The dream …

One More Hour

Far too many people have left this world far before their time. Cancer and heart disease have taken people I love at relatively young ages. Cancer has actually taken family away from me before I ever had a chance to know them. When I stumbled across this post by Tric a couple of weeks ago, …

Sweet, Sweet Validation

Since I began blogging over three years ago, I've read a handful of posts from mothers who chose to formula feed their children, and they spoke about the backlash they received for that decision. They were shamed. Their commitment to raising a healthy child was questioned. They were told they were horrible parents. They were …

My Oldest Surviving Memory

[Editor's Note: For this month's Remember the Time, Emily and Kelly would like to know what our earliest recollection is. I had written about my earliest memory in response to a Daily Prompt  back in December of 2012, so I'm dressing this post up and adding a few things to it and making it seem like …

A Day I Never Thought I Would See

Today is a milestone of sorts for me even though this day has absolutely nothing to do with me. You see, today is a day I feared would never ever come.  It's a day I only hoped I would live to see.  It's a day that I now celebrate as relief floods through me.  Today …

What Hurts the Most

I'm in the midst of my second divorce.  Divorce sucks, even when you're the one who wants it.  There's the bickering.  Who's entitled to what.  The lawyers.  Damn the lawyers.  There's the heartache.  The heartbreak.  The hurt feelings.  The anger.  The blame.  Who hurt who more.  There's just nothing good about goodbye. There is one …

Blow Out the Candle and Make a Wish

I am writing from a very dark place.  Even though I spent last evening with my father and stepmother, having a couple of drinks and sharing a few jokes, it didn't ease the oppressive blackness surrounding me.  In fact, coming home to an empty house somewhat amplified it. Today is my birthday.  For that reason …

Innocence Lost

I mentioned in a post the other day that my boys were going to become uncles soon.  Fate has decided that day is today.  Today the twins' older sister, at the tender age of 18 years (and 3 months), the little girl I raised from the age of 2 to 11, gave birth to a …

And Ode to My Mother

From the moment I was born To the present we now share You've never missed a moment You've always been there You put everyone's needs Before your own You still make this sacrifice Though I'm all grown Through good times and bad Through success and strife You are the one constant force Stabilizing my life …

Reaffirming Life Moment

Last night was a rough night in our household.  Baby C was cranky when I picked him up after work.  He did not have a nap yesterday afternoon.  He was fussy and nothing would please him. It was a struggle to get his socks, shoes, and coat on, but when we finally did I was …