Mommy Musings - Roles In Friendship

I love learning. That's a pretty broad opening sentence, but it sums up much of what I have been feeling as of late. Through some pretty amazing family members and friends I have begun learning a little more about food, medicine and the human body. There are many, varying opinions on each of these topics and (since I love to learn) I appreciate hearing all sides to the argument. ...

Technological Wonders

There's really no question in my mind that computers are smarter than we are. Well, perhaps I should speak only for myself. My computer is smarter than me. And just when I think I have it figured out, something else changes and the learning curve starts all over again. My laptop has been home with me on several occasions now, I have finally gotten over the fear of unplugging ...

Ramblings - Save Us From Telephone Solicitors

May the Good Lord preserve and keep us from telephone solicitors - please. It isn't bad enough the mail carrier stuffs my letterbox with advertisements and invitations to buy everything from bathroom tissue to pink elephants. They go, mostly unopened, into the kitchen garbage can and from there to swell a county garbage dump with useless paper. The waste is ferocious. That accompanies the daily task of separating gaily-colored ads from the newspaper's reading material ...

Mommy Musings - Bye-Bye Winter?

I think I missed winter. If it were not for the two little people I try desperately to keep up with and my slight case of insomnia I would swear I have channeled good ol' Rip Van Winkle. The only logical explanation for missing an entire (not to mention necessary) season would be sleeping through it. But indeed it is fact, somehow we have made it through the latter ...

Dawn's Column - The Newlywed Word

Are we still newlyweds?" My husband and I looked at each other and asked that question when we recently saw our pastor who officiated our marriage ceremony. He greeted us with, "Oh, there are the newlyweds" and then he remembered that it's been over a year since our wedding. In fact, it'll be two years in just a few months. He quipped that he must have tied the knot good for us. Newlyweds. Hmmm. I ...

Marg-Ins - Full Speed Ahead

Time just has a way of sneaking up on you. Those of you that have reached a certain age plateau – and you know who you are – can probably attest to the fact that once a certain age comes that ends in a '0' time seems to move a little faster. Perhaps the thing that made this most abundantly clear was the recent class I took with my daughter. We were required to attend ...

Stuff N' Nonsense - Delving Into A Dangerous Place

Recently, I turned in the rough draft of my 18th novel to my publisher. Initially, there's always a sense of exhilaration that I completed this monstrous creative task but after the high fades, I'm swamped by feelings of loss.

The Reluctant Columnist - Here’s To Our Health

Fitness seems to a reoccurring theme in my life lately. Our group of newspapers, Oakdale, Riverbank and Escalon, has decided to introduce a monthly health and fitness section, which means I will be writing health and fitness stories at least once a month. Our office is also participating in a 100 miles in 100 days challenge, so I have been trying to walk or bike at least a mile a day. Add in all of ...

Kimberly's Book Reviews

DeletSpecial Agent's Perfect Cover Publisher: Harlequin Romantic Suspense ISBN: 037327758X HHHH When I was looking for a new book to read and review, I came across the first in the "Perfect, Wyoming" continuity series and I knew it would be a good candidate. Why, you ask? Well, for one, I could read it quickly and right now my life is hectic so a fast, easy read is optimal; second, I'd always wanted to read a ...

Editor’s Notebook - Changes For The Better Slated In 2012

As we ease in to the New Year, some changes 'are afoot' for The Oakdale Leader and its companion papers, The Escalon Times and The Riverbank News.

Dawn's Column - Step Away From The Chips

After some discussion and observation, it seems to me that most people make New Year's resolutions that are related to better health. They usually go something like this: join the gym, lose weight, stop smoking, cut back on the beer, and so on.

Marg-Ins - Welcome To Animal Farm

And so the menagerie grows. Despite my best intentions, we seem to continue to add more pets to the household. Perhaps it is because I have long wanted to be a volunteer at the Stanislaus Wildlife Care Center – I love animals – but haven't found the time to fit it in to my schedule.

Stuff ‘N Nonsense - Our Cranky Holiday Tradition

As I've mentioned before, my childhood was a bit unorthodox. We didn't celebrate Christmas or birthdays or any holiday (with the exception of Thanksgiving) and I always felt left out when my friends returned from winter break with new clothes or at the least cool holiday stories to share. So when I was old enough, I tried to make up for lost time. I went overboard buying my sisters and brother Christmas ...

Mommy Musings – The Unimaginable Of Life

It has happened yet again. Another year has come to pass and the promise of a new year is once again on the horizon. Last week I shared how language often helps me with my varying column topics and this week that still holds true. The topic of resolutions seems more than fitting for this issue of Dec. 28, but after nearly 10 years at this keyboard it ...

The Reluctant Columnist - Christmas Coconuts & Other Weird Traditions

When I was a little kid I assumed that everyone celebrated Christmas exactly the same way that my family did. Christmas shopping was done no sooner than two weeks before Christmas. The outside lights did not go on the house until after Dec. 9, which happened to be my sister Sandra's birthday. And above all I knew that Santa did not wrap the presents he left on Christmas morning.

Community Corner – What’s Growin’ On …

Happy New Year! We all survived the Mayan calendar apocalypse and the "Fiscal Cliff" – kind of started to remind me of the Y2K phenomenon 13 years ago.

Stuff ‘N Nonsense - A Graceful Exit

I have an issue with finality. At the end of every year, as everyone is celebrating the ball drop on a New Year, I'm lamenting the fact that I'll never be in that moment again - another year lost to time, never to experience again. In that second before the big calendar change, I panic just a little knowing that it's over. I'm happy to report that the panic doesn't last but ...

RICH IN THOUGHT - Be Prepared, Do Something, Denial Kills

Ramblings – This Scribbler Calls It Quits

Resigning from any job is bound to quicken the heartbeat but retiring from a career is downright frightening. I did just that at the end of November although I've been on medical leave since August.

Marg-Ins - Keeping The Perspective

When you start adding it up, a column a month for 19-plus years working for The Oakdale Leader, The Escalon Times and The Riverbank News, I've probably covered about all there is – and some topics, more than once.

Community Corner – Sending Out Holiday Wishes

Happy Holidays to our wonderful community! MOPS/MOMSNext would like to extend a warm wish for love, peace and togetherness during this holiday season. We here at MOPS/MOMSNext have been having a great time crafting, cooking, sharing meals and also listening to some amazing speakers. We recently went out into the community and attended our very first community block party put on by our local Center for Human Services. What a great and fun family outing! ...

Editor’s Notebook – Holiday Season: Opportunity Knocks

Elections are over, the political ads are gone from television, radio and the print media, and now people can turn their attention to everyday life and getting back into the routine.

Marg-Ins - Reaching Out

What a difference a month can make. Our columns here give us a chance to put down our 'reporter' or 'editor' labels and just be real people for a change. It provides us with an opportunity to offer an opinion, talk about something personal as opposed to writing a story about a football game or a council meeting.