Marriage or Divorce? Which One Will Kill You First?
It’s no secret that divorce sends couples on an emotional rollercoaster. Regardless of how amicable the split is, there are periods of grief, anger, denial, self doubt and sometimes, even malicious behavior toward each other.
Aware of the pain, grief, and fear divorce may cause to the couple, children, family, and friends, I have always advocated that staying in an unhealthy marriage or unfitting relationship causes much more pain and grief for all parties involved.
Divorce is not a get out of jail card, it is not a trial and error opportunity, nor is it a lazy act by couples that didn’t try, as many critics claim. In reality, divorce is usually the last option, the last chance to salvage any type of friendship or co-parenting relationship.
I know – I’m divorced. Read more »
Life is Not a Box of Chocolates … Anymore
Although I hate to quote Forrest Gump, I’m gonna. I used to think that life was like a box of chocolates. There were surprises in every bite, the smooth, creamy texture was calming, and just the scent of it energized me.
That was until I read the label. Read more »
Social Media Overload
I’ve spent the past few days immersed, overwhelmed, delighted, and frustrated with social media. As participants in the Associated Collegiate Press Summer Journalism Workshops in Minneapolis, Minn. four of my students and I have been bombarded with high-tech options for reinventing and improving the standards for student newspaper publishing. Read more »
Dirty Little Secrets
I have a secret. More than likely, you have a secret, too. What would it take to convince you to divulge that secret? Maybe fear, maybe attention, maybe guilt.
For some, a postcard will do the trick. Read more »
Home is Never Too Far Away
I’ve never considered myself a homebody. I love to travel, I love to see new places, and I love to witness the unique culture of each city I visit.
For some reason, though, I tend to be a homebody when I’m not at home. Read more »
Fat Dog in a Little Coat

Before
As humans, our obsession with weight haunts us every minute of the day. Many of us weigh ourselves incessantly, critique every inch of our bodies and constantly evaluate how “fat” we are in the mirror.
We place pictures of skinnier versions of ourselves on the fridge, we buy fat free dressing that tastes like water and low calorie rice cakes that resemble cardboard, and we compare ourselves to other humans, wishing we could just shed 5-10 pounds.
In the meantime, dogs lounge around, lazily contemplating the next meal or planning their next nap on the forbidden couch. My dog is no exception. She snores the loudest in our house, seems put-out when I make her go outside to run and tears apart the trash searching for food just as I rearrange the pantry each night looking for a snack. Read more »
Yep, I Like Hannah Montana
I admit it. I like Hannah Montana. Her songs are on my iPod, the car radio is often tuned to Disney Channel, and I
know all the words to the theme of her TV show.
I tried my hardest not to like her – told others that it was my daughter’s music and that as a mom, I was forced to watch her show and listen to the Disney Channel. But, I’m coming clean – I’ve taken a liking to the pop princess’ style, lyrics, and even her alter ego, Miley. Read more »
Death is so taboo. People fear it, avoid discussing it, and shudder at the thought of it. In reality, though, death opens up someone’s life story.
People amaze and inspire me. People annoy and frustrate me. Most of all, though, people interest me. I’m a people person in many ways – just not in the way that most think.
Published November 2003 in The Messenger,