Dawn’s Column - Married And Adjusting

I'm still settling in and adapting to this new aspect of my life called marriage. People frequently ask me, "So how's married life?" My answer usually includes the words, "It's an adjustment."

Marg-Ins - Seasons Change

Winter arrived the other day, just in case you weren't paying attention. It really seems like we went straight from our 90-degree weather to pouring rain and wind from one day to the next, with no time to prepare.

Stuff ‘N Nonsense - A Slice In Time

Like many people, I'm fascinated by the idea of time travel. I'm the furthest thing you can get from a science geek but I get giddy at the theory that time travel is possible because it sets in motion all sorts of cool scenarios in my head, like where I would go and what I would do if it were possible.

Dawn’s Column - Fun Fall

Even though the weather has radically swayed from cold and rainy to hot and sunny - all within a few days' time - the cooler weather is definitely the signal that fall has finally arrived. Although I think there's something great about every season, to me, this is the best time of year.

Marg-ins - The Way It Was

Years ago, in another lifetime, October would be a month when I would be pounding a keyboard, getting pages and pages of copy ready … not for publication in a newspaper, but writing the annual Halloween production at the radio station I worked for at the time. For those of you who keep up with my life outside the newspaper walls through my column, last month I dealt with my family's move to a new (to us) house and some 'finds' unearthed through that event have prompted this month's topic.

Ramblings - Concerning Three Sons

My two youngest sons, ages 26 and about 30, took off this morning on a camping trip to Point Reyes and I hope they don't murder each other. They are so far apart in nature, argue constantly, and sometimes almost come to blows. I've heard this is normal for brothers. But why are they both so volatile? The least thing sets them off. Why can't they stay calm and equitable like their father, talk things out? Sounds like Professor Higgins.

Stuff ‘N Nonsense - Back To School

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With our youngest child in kindergarten, all three of our children are in school and while the boys have been doing this routine for a while now, this is new territory for our 5-year-old.

Mommy Musings - Ruts And Responsibilities

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I'm in a rut.

Dawn’s Column - The Newsroom

The newsroom at our office is what my colleagues and I call our "classroom." We sit with our desks lined up facing the "teacher" – our editor, Marg, who is in an office – and we do our "homework," a.k.a. producing material for the newspaper.

Mommy Musings – Good, Bad and Ugly

This week as I sat preparing my thoughts the words that keep cropping up are: What should I have done? or What would you do?Perhaps I should offer a little clarity on what has me so confused and perplexed.Recently, our family, along with some friends who were here on holiday, visited an area park for some outside activity.It is one of the newer parks, which our three- and six-year-old have come to love, so we were excited to share it with our visitors.When we arrived, the kids scattered in varying directions and so did we. With ...

Marg-Ins - Of Moves And Shoes

So much happens in a month. Regular readers are familiar by now with our column rotation, with a submission each week for the 'Perspective' page, myself the first week of the month, Dawn M. Henley the second week, Craig Macho the third week and Kim Van Meter the fourth week. If there happens to a fifth Wednesday, we let John Branch sneak in a column on this page as well.Typically there's a specific topic or event I comment on but this past month has been so busy that there are several issues to address.A big one is ...

Stuff ‘N Nonsense - A Love So Strong

On the day this column reaches the newsstands, my oldest son will turn 17. I'm still trying to wrap my brain around that concept. Was it really 17 years ago that I brought that nine-pound, 10-ounce kid into this world? I guess so. When I look into his eyes, I see the boy he was, but when I pull back, I see the young man he's turning into.

Mommy Musings - More Than One Reason

In a past column I shared a little insight into my recent undertaking of helping with costumes for the Oakdale Community Theatre Production of "Annie" the musical.

Kimberly’s Book Reviews

As Good As It Got by Isabel Sharpe

Dawn’s Column - Yard Sale Tale

My husband and I recently held a gargantuan, one-day yard sale. Due to our union, we had double, and in some cases, triple, of everything required to furnish a home. We had filled the shelves of the garage with boxes of items just for the yard sale, knowing that it wasn't even everything we needed to put out because we hadn't had time to address it all.

RICH IN THOUGHT –The Anti-Vax Myth

A few weeks ago Disneyland appeared to be Ground Zero for a measles outbreak that led to 17 identified cases in the US. Since then, at last count, there are now over 120 confirmed cases of measles in the country, possibly due to "satellite" outbreaks as those persons returned home from "The Happiest Place on Earth."

City Considering Body Cameras For Cops

Due to the Monday President's Day Holiday, The Oakdale City Council will hold its meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 16.

Marg-Ins-Heading Into Super Spring?

Take a deep breath, the Super Bowl is over.

RICH IN THOUGHT –We All Look Great On Facebook

I've always been one who's active on Facebook, generally keeping a window open throughout the day to monitor social media, checking statuses, commenting, and keeping an eye open for a potential news story or two.

Marg-Ins – Settle In For 2015

Settle In For 2015