I deeply struggled to accept and explain the pain of infertility – zero chance of becoming pregnant – after my hysterectomy. At 28 years old, I’d elected to have a surgery that made me infertile for the rest of my life. No turning back, the decision was permanent. Why I became infertile Initially, I pointed […]
Read More“Mama, why was I adopted?” The weight of her question barely registered as my mind focused on the invisible checklist that appears every time I exit the car: Purse – check. Wallet – check. Keys – check. Cell phone- Dang it – where’s my cell phone? In a flurry of my own activity, I nearly […]
Read MoreFor the past 17 years, I’ve been telling my story of being diagnosed with stage III colon cancer just a few weeks after I turned 17 years old. Today is my 17 year cancerversary. Some years on this cancer anniversary, I’ve felt empowered and strong. Other years, I’ve wanted to crawl into a hole and […]
Read MoreAs we followed the hostess through the restaurant, I was so distracted, I forgot to look for the big tank with the live lobsters. Even at 34 years old, I’m still not sure if people have told me the truth all these years – the lobsters in the tank at Red Lobster are just one […]
Read MoreLooking for an amazing chocolate chip cookie recipe? Here’s my all-time favorite one, Soft & Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies by Martha Stewart. This isn’t a secret recipe of mine. I wish I could take credit for it! I make these cookies all the time. See below for tips and tricks. Thank you, Martha Stewart, for […]
Read MoreScroll down past the big trees – he told us on his personal blog – and there you’ll find me. In a picture from one of his hiking trips, surrounded by beautiful tall trunks of some of the world’s tallest trees, there Tom Marsilje didn’t only find himself but introduced himself. Humble. Happy. Hopeful he […]
Read MoreQuick report from my 12th colonoscopy (in 16 years) where I used the MiraLAX and Gatorade colonoscopy prep. Also, I encountered some new billing procedures and expenses during this visit, and my GI found a polyp. Here’s the story. MiraLAX and Gatorade colonoscopy prep For this colonoscopy, my GI doctor, Dr. Marc Taormina, recommended I […]
Read MoreThis is my favorite sweet roll dough recipe, which I’ve made for both cinnamon rolls and orange-glazed sweet rolls. Get the recipe Source: Southern Sweet Rolls on TasteofTheSouthMagazine.com Ingredients 3 1/2 to 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 (1/4-ounce) package active dry yeast 1/2 cup whole milk 1/2 cup sour cream 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, […]
Read More“White girls on the bus told me my bad skin was black and another mixed girl said her skin was lighter and her hair was better, and that mine looked like a cat’s fur ball or poop.” That’s the top story from my daughter’s day at school. She drug her feet and nearly missed the […]
Read MoreIt was 2010. In the few months prior to the life-changing car ride my husband and I took passing fields upon fields to southern Missouri, I felt like I’d swum to the bottom of the ocean and was just coming up for air. For many months, I’d become familiar with the darkness of loss. I’d […]
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