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On Generosity and Kindness

On Generosity and Kindness

I knew it would happen eventually.

We’ve ridden this twisty, terrifying, and unpredictable roller coaster of her health for the last ten years, and though we had our seatbelts on and were sitting at the top of the hill knowing the brakes would come loose any minute, none of us was prepared for that drop, and it still feels like we haven’t yet caught our breath. I’m not sure we ever will.

On…

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I’m So Fly – I’m OG Baby Like Grape Koolaid

I’m So Fly – I’m OG Baby Like Grape Koolaid

The sun beat down on the hot pavement as my sandaled feet walked briskly, matching the pace of the other walkers on 5th Avenue. Sweat beaded on my forehead.  Mind over Matter, I thought to myself. I twisted out of my sweater, trying to keep up with my friends and shoved it in my bag, madly searching for my sunglasses to no avail. After retracing my steps in my mind, I furiously cursed myself for…

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Why I Told My Daughter to Kick Your Son in the Balls

Why I Told My Daughter to Kick Your Son in the Balls

There was an article that went around last year that my virtual writer friend Ashley Fuchs wrote called The Reason My Daughter May Punch Your Son. When I read the article, my daughter was in kindergarten and, in my mind, years away from this kind of harassment, so I read it, and I shared it, but I didn’t internalize it the way some of my fellow parents did. Because I thought I had more time.…

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The Silent and the Not-So-Silent Bully

The Silent and the Not-So-Silent Bully

When I was in high school, every morning a group of guys gathered around their lockers conveniently located right by the front door of the school. As students walked through the door, their torment began. They weren’t too selective. Anyone could be their target. They made fun of shoes, bags, shirts, pants, faces, teeth, hair, anything. It pains me to say that I was part of their group, not the…

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Suicide is Painless

Suicide is painless. That’s what they say, right? In America alone, someone dies by suicide every thirteen minutes. Let that sink in for a second. Every thirteen minutes, someone in America takes his own life. We lost another celebrity this week. The world stood stunned at the news of Chris Cornell’s passing. Suicide. Again. Today we are talking about suicide. Because of Chris Cornell. And we’ve…

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Dear Mom

I didn’t buy you a card this year. I always spend a lot of time looking through all of the cards, humor cards and sentimental cards alike, but this year I couldn’t find one that worked. Nothing quite put into words the impact you leave on this world, on my world. There wasn’t a card that said, Your laugh is the best sound on Earth. I couldn’t find one that said I see so much of you in my…

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Can We Talk About Teacher Appreciation Week?

Can We Talk About Teacher Appreciation Week?

Dear Teachers, Can we talk about Teacher Appreciation Week? I promise I didn’t miss it. I saw the nine reminders in my children’s take home folders letting me know that in my town and across all of America, it’s Teacher (and Staff) Appreciation Week, and I think it’s great. I’m all for it. I appreciate the teachers. I see your tired eyes as May approaches and you are destined to review over and…

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The Rose Hotel

Before I even started grade school, I spent most of my nights at a homeless shelter. I grew up with a dreamer. My father saw opportunity no matter where he looked, and his kindness knew no limits. He was a jack-of-all-trades kind of guy, a contractor by day, preacher by night/weekend, and a philanthropist by heart.  To me, he hung the moon. Try and convince me otherwise. We never had much money,…

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Why Writing Book 2 is Harder than Writing Book 1

Why Writing Book 2 is Harder than Writing Book 1

I don’t know if you know this, but I wrote a really kick ass book and published it in 2015. It took me about four years to finish it, which really is not accurate because I had two kids under five when I started. One of which was still attached to my breast, so my writing took a backseat to dirty diapers and sippy cups. I squeezed in a few words during nap time and Dora the Explorer distractions,…

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At first bite, they're disgusting. And second. And third. But they're salty and crunchy and almost nothing like the cheese puffs I really want. #okra #healthyeating #fitness #fitmom #WhyCantCheesePuffsBeHealthy #OrIceCream #tacos #pizza #CheeseburgersAndOnionRingsAndAMilkshake #DidIMentionIceCream #ILoveYouBen #AndJerry

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Don't be jealous that @chrisbharrison crashed my watching party tonight. #thebachelor #party #wine #tv #realitytv #loveislove #bachelornation

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This is Us (We Might Be Confused)

This is Us (We Might Be Confused)

I have four older brothers. Some would say this makes me tough (which is true), but most would say this has affected my intellect (also true). The youngest is ten years older than I am, so my education growing up  was, to say the least, clouded with fibs my brothers told me that I believed the same way people believe everything they read on the internet. We went camping as a family once (only…

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Coitus Interruptus

The best thing about not having anything to write is when one of my fellow writers does have something to write. Please enjoy the following guest post by my friend, Nikki Thompson. ————————————————————————– The material of the shirt in her hands is soft. Humming a quiet tune, she inhales the floral fragrance, then folds the tiny shirt with care. Strong hands grip her hips, startling her out of…

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Beware of Peppa Pig on YouTube

Beware of Peppa Pig on YouTube

Parents, if you listen to nothing else today, please heed this warning. Peppa Pig can lead to very questionable content on the internet. Like most parents, my children enjoy watching videos on YouTube. My daughter has been a huge fan of Peppa Pig for years, and aside from the annoying random snorting, I’ve never had a problem with the pig herself or her sweet British family. I often hear her…

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That face I make when I just wrote something so chilling that I have to shut my laptop and compose myself. "...but I am very aware of two things. I am in the trunk of a car. And I am not alone." #amwriting #authorsofinstagram #teaser #wip #bedhair #nomakeup

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Why Moms Yell

I’ve often said that every day is Groundhog day when you’re a mom. One thing, in particular, that remains an ever present constant in my house is the struggle for my son to put on his shoes. Every single morning, we do the same thing. Wake up, get dressed, comb your hair, eat breakfast, brush your teeth, and the last thing is to put shoes on before we leave the house. Yet, every single day, it…

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The Explanation of a Queef

The Explanation of a Queef

It was a typical evening dinner at my parents’ house. My brother and I both were both in town visiting, so my mother did what she does and cooked a huge, tremendous meal. Really, it was full of love. At my mother’s table, any topic of conversation can come into play. Having four brothers and too many nephews to keep count, the topics tend to lean in one direction. In typical Castle fashion on…

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