Mommy Musings – It Takes A Village

What makes a good mother?

Marg-Ins - It’s A Wrap

One of the luxuries of being the editor - at least on some days - is that since I am the last one that reads stories, captions and columns before they go to press, I can tinker with my own deadlines. For instance, reporters have to turn their columns in by mid afternoon Friday before the Wednesday it is published, since the 'Perspective' page is laid out over the weekend. But here I am, about 3:45 p.m. Saturday, just getting it started. Time has once again gotten away from me and the week, like the entire month of April, has ...

Stuff ‘N Nonsense - Things That Go Bump

I've always been fascinated by the paranormal. I embrace the theory that there is something beyond the life that we experience in the here and now for I cannot imagine that this is it. Throughout my life I've encountered a number of experiences that may qualify as paranormal from a phantom touch on my shoulder to noises that don't belong and while I may have been a bit freaked out at the moment, it only served to whip up my enthusiasm and interest in the subject later.

Dawn’s Column - Sparkly Shoes And Ham

My fiancé and I recently hosted Easter dinner at his house for our families and have done this for the past few years, as his place is centrally located. We made the plan to drive to Stockton the day before Easter to pick up a Honeybaked Ham for the family gathering. He ordered the ham and I proposed that we arrive at the store early, before the line got too long.

Then my wheels began to turn.

Mommy Musings - Navigating Diplomacy

For those who follow Mommy Musings - be warned, the Hammond Family has enrolled a student in the Oakdale Joint Unified School District system. This is a precarious time for me, personally. It is a time when I will now be tested on how well I can balance my personal and professional life and not have it come at the expense of my children.

Marg-Ins - Keeping It Simple

Amazing as it seems, we are already a quarter of the way in to 2010. Time literally seems to be flying by – yet again – this year and, before we know it, we'll be looking at Halloween candy and Christmas decorations.

Ramblings – Flirting With Fantasy

Well I finally did it. Having for years disparaged people for going on cruises and indulging in what appeared to be unforgivable sloth and decadence, I succumbed to my son's persuasion and went on a Caribbean cruise with him - and enjoyed it very much.

Stuff ‘N Nonsense – The Stuff Happening In My World

The life of a working mother is rarely static. Between kids, home and work, there's always something going on. I'm accustomed to the chaos but lately, it seems the hectic nature of my life has sent me skidding a bit sidewise as I try to hold it all together. But rather than focus on the negative, I'm concentrating on the positive aspects of my life.

Editor’s Notebook - Just One Big, Happy Idiosyncrasy

After several weeks of personnel shuffling, between an (away from the job) injury, one previously scheduled vacation and another mini vacation by various staff members, it looks like we are back up to our full complement of reporters.

Mommy Musings - Dentist And Deadlines

I have a confession to make. At least once a month, as I put the finishing touches on a 'Mommy Musings' piece I wonder, 'Does anyone really care about life according to the Hammond family?'

Dawn’s Column – The Breakup

I recently broke up with my hairdresser.

MARG-INS - Letting The Guard Down

There's something to be said for keeping your defenses up.

Swept Up By The Games

They've been hard to escape; if you haven't heard re-caps on the news or found them as you wield the TV remote, chances are you have talked about them at work or with the family over dinner. And there are many stories to tell, as the Winter Olympics in Vancouver play out on the ski slopes, the ice rinks, the skeleton and luge tracks.

Stuff ‘n Nonsense - Cookies And Pickles

There are moments in our lives that remind us - sometimes painfully - that the march of time is resolute. I'm not talking about the inevitable body changes or the pressure of responsibility that seems to increase with each passing year as we age but rather something far more heart-rending.

I'm talking about the moment when you realize you won't always have your loved ones surrounding you as you did in childhood.

Mommy Musings - Seeing Differently

I'm not your atypical sports enthusiast.

Try An Out-Of-The-Box Solution

By DAN WEBER, PRESIDENT

Medicare And Kidney Disease

Did you know that one in three American adults is at risk for kidney disease? Major risk factors for kidney disease include diabetes, high blood ...

Socialization Is A Must For Dogs

DEAR DIDI: We have a 13 month old Shih Tzu with biting issues. Seems like the issue is with hands and feet. Wondering if you ...

Planning Ahead With IRAs

By BILL SPANIEL

A Quarter-Century Of Weekly Issues

Sometimes anniversaries sort of sneak up on you.

Benefits If Working Past Age 70?

By RUSSELL GLOOR

Call For Improved Safety At Ski Resorts

Dr. DANIEL GREGORIE, M.D. MSM

The Lowdown On Dog Bowls

DEAR DIDI: There are so many types of dog bowls available. Plastic, porcelain, stainless steel, raised on stands ... what do you recommend? I have a ...