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.

Reporter’s Notebook – Lessons Learned

High school graduation is an exciting time in a young person's life. One chapter of life has ended, excitement for the future is at an all time high and gifts from lost relatives arrive by the truckload. Yet among the excitement and parties, nervousness came over me. Where to go, the four-year universities I was accepted to or Modesto Junior College, which was affordable, but came with a stigma.

Marg-Ins - Summer What?

Welcome to August and the resumption of school and a somewhat normal routine. Summer, or what months pass for summer vacation here in California, are just about over and like it or not, alarm clocks will soon be back in use.

The unusually mild summer weather (trust me, I'm not complaining at all) has made it seem like we are still waiting for the real summer to hit and it's a little difficult to fathom that classes are about to start. We'll probably get slammed with a week of 110-degree weather sometime in September, just to make ...

Mommy Musings - All For Love

Today I cannot help but wonder … have I lost my mind? The good news is, I realize I am not alone and many parents wonder this on a daily basis. The bad news is, I am still really wondering if I am completely nuts.

Stuff N' Nonsense - What’s New?

As July comes to a close and August creeps closer, a number of important calendar events are coming for our household. Most notably, school starts quickly followed by both sons' birthdays but also, my first Silhouette Romantic Suspense novel is coming out and that's very exciting.

You may recall the trip my husband and I took to the northern coast for research two years ago. Well, the information gathered from that trip was for this book. And thus far, the reviews have been very complimentary so I think the authenticity of the location really helped give it an extra ...

Mommy Musings - The Open Road

The time has come for yet another unforgettable Hammond Family vacation.While I am writing this prior to the vacation happening, there is one thing I am certain of. This vacation will indeed be unforgettable. The location we will travel to this summer is not exotic, tropical or even coastal. This year the Hammond Family is headed to the hip and happening location of … Henderson, Nevada.For those familiar with the area, it is just a short distance outside of Las Vegas. Otherwise known as "Vegas Baby" by my husband and six-year-old son. We have family in Henderson, which is ...

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

RICH IN THOUGHT –The Decisions

Much has been said and covered by the news media in regard to the recent decisions from a St. Louis County and New York grand juries not to indict police officers in the separate deaths of two subjects by the police officers involved.

Marg-Ins Happy Holiday Countdown

Well, I resisted as long as humanly possible.