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10 Things You Don’t Know About Me

Spoiler alert: I’m a shameless Twi-hard fan with a vocal tic and E.T. toes — I’ve procrastinated an ‘About Me’ post for over a year. When I saw the About Me publication, I thought it was genius. And then I started a draft and became hypnotized by the blinking cursor. I sang a beat to its rhythm. …

About Me

9 min read

About Me

9 min read

Oct 29

How We Decorate Pumpkins

They’re not Pinterest-worthy, but that’s kinda the point. —

Halloween

2 min read

Halloween

2 min read

Close up of half carved pumpkin with a crooked purple bow and splattered red and black paint all over it. — Author’s Photo of “Pumpcasso”

How We Decorate Pumpkins

They’re not Pinterest-worthy, but that’s kinda the point.

Published in The Daily Cuppa

·Oct 22

Are pre-packaged Halloween costumes a waste of money?

Nope. Not in our house!

Halloween

2 min read

Halloween

2 min read

Woman dressed up as Velma from Scooby Doo with kids dressed as Pikachu and Steve from Minecraft with a V for Vendetta mask. — Author’s Photo — 2021

Are pre-packaged Halloween costumes a waste of money?

Published in The Daily Cuppa

·Oct 15

It’s important to read Halloween costume labels.

As soon as a pop-up Halloween store posts its neon banner, I’m there.

Kids

1 min read

It’s important to read Halloween costume labels.

Kids

1 min read

Legends of Zelda Link costume package front with image of kid wearing green tunic and elf hat along with mustard pants, and brown boots. The package bottom right corner says “Toy sword, pants, and boots not included.” — Author’s Photo of Link Packaging

It’s important to read Halloween costume labels.

Published in The Daily Cuppa

·Oct 8

It’s Pumpkin Farm Season

And I couldn’t be more excited —

Family

1 min read

Family

1 min read

A toddler with a knit monster hat stands in a sea bright orange pumpkins. He squats down to grab two pie sized pumpkins. To the left a grown up’s legs in jeans stands next to him. — Author’s Photo

It’s Pumpkin Farm Season

And I couldn’t be more excited

Published in The Daily Cuppa

·Oct 1

Why I Scare My Kids

Not only is it fun, but it’s also good for their health! — My kiddos love all things spooky, including a wholesome startle. Recently, I discovered that “surprise scares” release happy hormones. I don’t need to worry that I’m scarring them for life–this is wellness! Here are my 3 favorite scare tactics: 1. Skeleton Surprise

Kids

2 min read

Kids

2 min read

Why I Scare My Kids

Not only is it fun, but it’s also good for their health!

Boy laying on the ground with a mock scared look on his face. — Author’s Photo

My kiddos love all things spooky, including a wholesome startle.

Recently, I discovered that “surprise scares” release happy hormones. I don’t need to worry that I’m scarring them for life–this is wellness!

Here are my 3 favorite scare tactics:

1. Skeleton Surprise

Published in The Daily Cuppa

·Jul 7

OMG…I missed my doctor’s appointment!

Big deal. Happens to all of us, right?

Adhd

1 min read

Adhd

1 min read

OMG…I missed my doctor’s appointment!

Jul 6

Why My Liberal Arts Degree Would Be a Huge Financial Mistake Today

I’d owe $50K more in school loans but only make $10K more annually — I’ve been rethinking the value of the four year bachelor’s degree in our current economy. I’m not alone — families wonder if the cost of a four year degree is worth it. It saddens me that my liberal arts experience would be out of reach for me today. Well, okay. …

College

5 min read

Why My Liberal Arts Degree Would Be a Huge Financial Mistake Today

College

5 min read

Published in The Daily Cuppa

·Jul 5

Maybe it’s ADHD.

Maybe not. And really…does it matter?

Short Form

1 min read

Short Form

1 min read

Maybe it’s ADHD.

Published in Paper Poetry

·May 12

Blacktop Burns

A freestyle poem: Ashley’s Story — My plate is full. My belly empty. Punchin’ in tappin’ out again and again. Same old dude tellin’ me just get a degree then you’ll be free. Same old dude ain’t got no clue. Won’t raise my pay. So I waste away cleanin’ up his mess so he can play a violin with…

Poetry

2 min read