April B.

A crowd gathered, so many people they were almost smushed, inside the small corner they had claimed in the hospital waiting room. Some were clearly family. You could tell by the obvious resemblance. One woman introduced herself as "her" co-worker. I still don't know who "she" is, but as I sat in the surgery waiting room this week, waiting for news on my loved one, I listened in

My social media feeds are full of everybody's new year's resolutions. My email in-box is overflowing with tips and products to help anyone achieve any goal, from the 10 resolutions for the fiscally savvy to celebrity slim-down secrets. Whatever about me needs changing, help is just a click away.

This week, I am absolutely digging this story posted on the Huffington Post parents feed. It's all about the way one family told their son he has Down syndrome. I love how the kid just basically shrugs his shoulders and goes on about his day, the weight of what his parents had known for so long having absolutely no impact.

I just love the Christmas season. I love the warmth and glitz you see everywhere. I love how sparkly everything is, with just a little oomph you don't see the rest of the year. I love the deals. I love how everything is packaged so nicely in pretty boxes with bows and ribbons. You don't see that the rest of the year.

I am not some kind of uber feminist. Really. I'm not. The world has changed a great deal in my lifetime. Women have broke through so many barriers. But I do believe there's still work to be done.

I sat in my car and cried this morning. Everything fell apart at 9:07 a.m., to be exact.

While working on a freelance writing project this week, I learned something that is kind of shocking to me. There are children at every school in Amarillo going hungry on the weekends. Every school. Even in the "upscale" neighborhoods. Even in your neighborhood. Sometimes, I am guilty of living in my happy little bubble of oblivion. This is one of those times. I literally had no idea. Ce

I missed something kinda big this week. It was one of those forehead slapping "doh!" moments for sure.

My advice to new parents: decide NOW how you will teach your child about biology and the birds and the bees and allllll  that. Don't think, "Oh, I've got a good ten years or so before I that topic comes up." I did that. Don't make that mistake...

Every mom needs a little break from reality each day, right? Mine usually comes in the form of a trashtastic hour of reality TV and may or may not be accompanied by mindless snacking. It's how I unwind.

Well, we are now officially three weeks into a new school year and I've already had to have a conference with my kindergartener's teacher.

About this time every year, I find myself disgruntled. My disgruntlement is always a direct result of a brand new school year and all the old feelings it stirs in me.