Boredom? I Don't Think So...

Hello, and welcome to February!  

Wait - what’s that you say? February is more than half over? Wow, and so it is! Okay, well, life happens and we must move forward from right here today… Am I right? (wink) 

Seriously, I must say that life has been very busy for me recently. I’m working on my next book, and though I don’t want to tell you too much about it, I can tell you that the book’s subject is about “LOVE.” (I sigh a happy sigh)  The other thing that I’ll tell you is that I’m very excited about getting this work out to all of you. I believe it is something that most of my dear readers will LOVE. After all, most of us here at “Katie’s View” love love and want more of it in our lives. My goal is to have the book finished and out by the end of this year. (I think I can, I think I can…)  

The other thing that has been taking up a lot of my head space is that I’ve been trying to lose some weight. I mentioned that in another one of my blog posts last fall. Here’s the link:  http://katiekolbergmemmel.blogspot.com/2015/10/decisions-decisions-and-action.html  Many of you contacted me personally with great advice and words of support. Thank you for that because I love to hear from you! I’m happy to announce that since that writing, I’ve lost 20 pounds. The weight isn’t just falling off of me, but 20 is 20. I’m excited for our Waukesha, Wis. weather to warm up a bit so that I’ll be able to get out and about - soon and very soon.  

All of this got me to thinking… (a dangerous pastime, I know…) (lyrics from Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast)  I’m going to make a big statement here, but it is absolutely the truth. The truth is that I am NEVER bored. Really!!! I never am. I feel that there is so much going on in my/our life that boredom is simply not an option – or a choice – or a fact – or whatever ‘boredom’ is classified as. For me, I feel that there is always something to do. Here, allow me to explain a bit more of where I’ve come from (and where I’m going) with all of this.  

* * *

I clearly remember a day from my own childhood. It was 1968, the summer that I turned seven. I flung myself onto my parents’ bed and watched my mother iron our clothes. It must have been a Tuesday because my mom washed clothes (for six of us) on Mondays, so ironing was her next day’s chore. As she worked through her stack, which was approximately as high as her hip (she was 5’4”), she didn’t seem to mind having me there to keep her company… until our conversation took a southern turn. 

“Mama, I don’t have anything to doooo…” Notice here how I accentuated the word “doooo”? When this is done, the word comes out of a child (or an adult) in a very whiny tone.  

Mom readjusted my father’s shirt sleeve on the ironing board and glanced my direction. She was kind enough to offer up a few suggestions for me. “Where’s Julia today? Why don’t you go call for her?” 

As a side note, I must commend mothers of the 1960’s. They never allowed their children to pick up a telephone. Suggesting that I go and “call for Julia,” would buy her at least a good half hour of alone time. Brilliant move!!! 

“She can’t play todaaaay…” 

“How about Debby?”

“Her eitherrrrrrr….” 

My mother removed my father’s shirt and hung it on a hanger, removed the next item from her basket, and spread it on the board. “Why don’t you get out your coloring books and crayons and color a nice picture for me?”

“I don’t wanna color!” 

Her head remained down, and she moved only her eyes to look up at me. “Why don’t you get out your Barbies and make a big doll city? You can pretend they’re going to a wedding and dress everybody in pretty clothes.” 

“I don’t wanna play dolllllls…” 

She’d had it with me. “Kate, go find something to do or I’ll find something for you to do!” 

Now, in my young, not-yet-second-grade mindset, her ‘finding something for me to do’ sounded like fun. My problem seemed solved as I envisioned her abandoning the wrinkles in my father’s work shirts to meet me at the kitchen table for a round (or seven) of “Go Fish.”  But no…

The next thing I knew, I was standing in the living room with a dust rag in my hand, removing knick knacks from the shelves by the stairs, and carefully dusting each one.  

“Let me know when you’re done,” Mom called out as she glanced over her left shoulder. “I’ve got plenty more work for you to do when you finish that.”   

What had gone wrong? I wondered…  

I learned a huge lesson that day, my friends. It was always best to find my own activities because when Mom said she’d give me something to do, it usually meant work.  

When I had my own kids, I found that my mother’s strategy worked beautifully for me too! With all of the friends my two children had, the haul of toys they owned, the neighborhood we lived in, I didn’t think they should ever say they had “nothing to do.” Consequently, Tony and Megan also learned from a young age, just as I had, that if they were “bored,” they’d be given something to do. They were expected to do X-amount of regular chores such as dishes and room maintenance, but “boredom chores” were much different – weird things that only a fed-up mother can dream. My favorites were trimming the carpet where our dog’s nails had snagged loops, or alphabetizing my CD’s or VHS tapes. (wink)  

I guess that I (and other moms and dads who have a lot of chores on their plates - laundry, ironing, grocery shopping and food preparation, housekeeping, lawn mowing, etc.) - don’t like to hear kids (or other adults, for that matter) whine about boredom. With all that this world has to offer, it just doesn’t seem like a good or viable choice.  

* * * 

So… whether my lack of boredom (or my kids’ lack of boredom – since they’re never bored either) has to do with the way(s) we were raised, well, I don’t really know. But with all of the books to read, pages to write, instruments to practice, recipes to try, shopping to do, weight to lose, grass to cut, and weeds to pull, boredom does not seem to compute. 

Go find interesting things to do...

 

OH, and above all, have great days!  

 

Katie Kolberg Memmel is the author of two books: “Five Fingers, Ten Toes – A Mother’s Story of Raising a Child Born with a Limb Difference,” and “Silly Stories and Sentimental Stuff.” Both are available through Amazon as paperback or electronic versions. Here’s the link: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_13?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=katie+kolberg+memmel&sprefix=Katie+Kolberg%2Caps%2C219 

 

#Boredom  #Parenting  #Writing

 

A Blast from my Ice-Skating Past

I had a great fulfilling day today, conducting one of the interviews I’m using in my brand new book project. I drove to a town about 60 miles west and spent a good part of the day there. When I got home, I was surprised to see that it had snowed, and that there was enough white stuff on my driveway that I knew I should shovel.

I felt disappointed. Shoveling was the last thing I felt like doing after having such an inspiring day. All I wanted to do was come in the house and start making notes from my interview. Instead, I sighed; then wrestled the shovel off its peg on the garage wall.

As I began plowing my usual paths down the driveway, something weird happened. Maybe it was because of the crispness of the air (my car’s thermometer said “17”), or maybe it was the fact I had a scarf wrapped around my neck and mouth, like I used to do when I was young. But all of a sudden it felt exactly like the kind of night my friends and I would have loved to spend at the ice-skating rink.

Sometimes we’d walk one block to our school, where the city would plow snow into a circle and flood a rink for us kids. Other times we walked about four blocks to another neighborhood rink. We preferred this choice because there seemed to be cuter boys there. And sometimes, on special occasions, one of our parents would drive us to a park which had a frozen lagoon. The pond had two small islands you could skate around. This choice, of course was my very favorite.

Standing here on my sidewalk, at the age of 54 years old, I had a flashback – maybe a de ja vu sort of feeling. The air felt exactly the same as a night years ago when I was maybe 14. My cheeks felt that same sting of cold, but it felt good - healthy. I remembered what it was like for cute boys to steal our knit caps and skate away fast… and for us to skate after them in an effort to get them back. Exchanging names, flirting…

I’ve shoveled snow hundreds of times and I’ve worn scarves over my cheeks for a number of reasons, but I’ve honestly never had a recollection come to me so thorough or so powerful. I looked up at the clear sky, the night so still, and I smiled. My initial disappointment had faded, replaced by the memory of teenage ice-skating escapades.

Even though I hadn’t felt like shoveling, I’m glad I stopped and took the 15 minutes to do it. The break felt good, and even, in the end, provided this blog. My advice? In life, take time to smell the roses – or if in Waukesha, Wis in January, take time to breathe in the night air. You might get a very nice blast somewhere from your teenage ice-skating past…

Katie Kolberg Memmel is the author of two books: “Five Fingers, Ten Toes – A Mother’s Story of Raising a Child Born with a Limb Difference,” and “Silly Stories and Sentimental Stuff.” Both are available at www.amazon.com  as a Kindle and a paperback version.

The Holidays (and then some...)

Wow!  Wow, wow, wow! What a wonderful year for the holidays, here at the Memmel homestead, in Waukesha, Wis. Where do I even begin? Let’s see here… (rubs chin and gazes off into the distance, pondering choices…) Ahhh, I’ll begin with a story from the past…

Do any of you remember when your attitude toward Christmas and the holidays shifted from “woop de doo” parties, events, and pricy gifts, to more of the “real deal?” I’ve always loved church, especially on Christmas Eve, and I’ve never been a super good gift giver/receiver – always very nervous, hoping my choices or reactions are correct, etc. But years ago you could always count me in for plenty of the “woop de doo.” I do, however, remember the Christmas that I began to respond to the holidays more like my mother would have, than like the kid I’d been.

As I bravely shared in my book, “Five Fingers, Ten Toes…” the fall/winter of 1988 were very hectic for our little family. I had a brand new baby (born November 11^th) and a three-year old. One day as I sat in the rocking chair feeding Megan, Tony stood by my side listening to his cassette tape of Bruce Springsteen’s “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town.” He asked me, “Mom, what do you want for Christmas?” I said something along the lines of, “I just want everyone I love to be happy and healthy…” He crinkled his nose and furrowed his three-year old’s brow. “Nooo, I mean what do you WANT for Christmas?” …and I knew that beyond a shadow of a doubt, that’s honestly all that I wanted.

When I was a youngster that answer would have frustrated me too, but the older I grew, and the older I continue to grow, it’s truly all I want - ever. I might even add a few more frustrating brow-furrowing wishes into my responses nowadays such as, “During this season, I hope that we can all spend time together with those we love the most…” Things like that.

So this year, I got my wish (and then some). Back in October, after Megan came to town with Jakey, Joe decided he’d like to come back to Wisconsin over the holidays to see everyone. Since their little family would all be here, they thought it would be a good weekend to have Jake baptized. It was decided that we’d host the ceremony right here at our home. Joe and Megan placed several calls. One to the pastor she'd grown up with, who baptized, confirmed, and even married her and Joe. (So special!) They also placed a phone call to Tony and Lesleigh, asking them to be Jake’s godparents. I heard through the grapevine that they were very thrilled to accept that role. Tony and Les had not planned to come up here during the holidays this year, but decided to change their initial plans. Thankfully Lesleigh was able to figure it all out with her work schedule, and the two could travel up from Nashville together. The scene was set – our whole family would be together again – this time for Christmas and Jakey’s baptism.

What a joy it was for me to decorate and to get everything organized – even the cleaning seemed tolerable knowing all of the kids were coming – even our new little grandson. With multiple exciting reasons for their visits, I felt extra energized and worked each day with a song in my heart. The songs in my heart I refer to may or may not have been due to Tony and Lesleigh’s brand new album, “We’ll Be on the Radio.” ( www.tonymemmel.com ) Word on the street had it that Tony would be playing and singing his brand new release, “Jake’s Song” for Jake during his baptism. Any moms or grammas out there that are reading this will certainly be able to relate to the sentiment that such a combination could bring. Right?  

Everyone spent time with their other families/inlaws, and then Christmas Eve was our turn to spend time together. Church was at 5:30, so we all met there. I must tell you that one of the most joy-filled moments I’ve ever experienced was walking up to communion that night – our daughter in line behind me, followed by Joe holding our grandson. Tony stood at the front of the church, singing and playing his guitar for “An Irish Christmas Blessing,” and Lesleigh accompanied him on the piano. Wow, you know? Jake was in a great mood, and even assisted in the singing of “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” by letting out a shriek at the exact right time. (So cute!) He was also very attracted to the flame on Joe’s candle during the singing of “Silent Night.” After the service we all came back here for food, gifts, chatter and laughs. Did I mention laughs? Yeah…

It has become a tradition that we host a Christmas Day brunch, so my dad, aunt, Todd’s brother and wife, my sister and husband, Lesleigh’s mom and dad, (Joe’s mom and dad couldn’t make it) and our kids all participated. We ate cheese and crackers, ham and scrambled eggs, rolls and fruit, cookies and kringle. After everybody else left, our six-some (excuse me, seven-some) sat down for a viewing of one of our family’s all-time favorite movies, “A Muppet Christmas Carol.” Jake just happened to fall asleep on his Auntie Lesleigh’s lap, and napped during the whole thing. Good timing, Buddy!

Todd had a nice idea. Before Christmas he asked the kids if they had any plans for Saturday, and if not, to clear their mornings. We bought the four of them reserved seats for an early viewing of “Star Wars” on the local Ultrascreen. Megan felt confused. “But what about the baby?” We assured her that he’d be in good hands with his gramma and grampa. The kids came back here to prep for the baptism, and Todd and I took our turn seeing the movie. When we got home, Tony and Les ordered pizza for us all, and we sat down to drink a glass (or two) of wine and discuss the movie. Joe isn’t a big Star Wars fan, but he said he had fun. The rest of us all shared our thoughts, our questions, and our theories about what is yet to come in the series. I must say, the movie passed my criteria for a good film - It made me laugh, it made me teary, and it left me with questions. Oh Star Wars – we’re so excited for the next part of your story!

And then there was the baptism. Let me start by saying that back in 1985, Todd’s mom knit a baptismal gown for Tony. I actually mention it in my book. Three years later, Megan wore it too. I put it away and stored it in its box for the past 27 years. When I took it out this fall, there was some bad yellowing on the front, up near the neck/chest. I felt terrible, and very unsure of how to remedy the situation. There is a group of women at our church with extensive knitting knowledge. They call themselves “The Knit Wits” (isn’t that fun?) Anyway, I took the dress to one of their meetings, and they each gave their opinion of how I might clean it. Once they determined it wasn’t “wool,” it opened up some good possibilities. I was able to get the garment back to its initial white, and I felt so relieved and happy. Jake would wear the same outfit that his mom and uncle had worn. Since Todd’s mom and dad have both passed away, it felt like somehow they were present and able to participate in a special way.

For the ceremony, Todd and I were both asked to do a short scripture reading. As the pastor poured the water from the pitcher into the bowl, he spoke of how God moved over the waters at creation, and it made me shiver (in a good way) to know that Jake was now also receiving this special sacrament. Joe and Megan looked so nice, standing there dressed in their Sunday’s finest, promising to raise their little boy in the Christian faith. Tony and Lesleigh also vowed to keep Jake as a special and Godly part of their lives. And all who were gathered in the room also answered the important questions of faith: “Do you believe in God the Father, Jesus His Son as your Saviour, the Holy Spirit who works among and within us…?” Tony did sing Jake his song, and I can’t vouch for anyone else, but tears were definitely rolling down my cheeks. Joe and Megan threw their son a party following the ceremony and it was so nice to talk and catch up with everyone. Some left early, and some stayed late, but one thing remains certain: Jacob is a very blessed little boy to have so many people who love him. And now he’s baptized.

Keep in mind that the Memmels haven’t all celebrated Christmas together since 2009. There have been different group variations, but not all together. As we celebrated the holidays this year, I couldn’t help thinking back to that conversation I shared with Tony in 1988. Everyone was together, and all reasonably healthy and happy. Happiness and health – two things we all seem to want most - two things we cannot buy in a store.

Here we are, with 2016 already in full swing. Let’s make a toast to health and happiness for us all... Cheers!    

Katie Kolberg Memmel is the author of two books: “Five Fingers, Ten Toes – A Mother’s Story of Raising a Child Born with a Limb Difference” and “Silly Stories and Sentimental Stuff.” Both are available on Amazon as Kindle downloads and as paperback versions.  http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_20?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=katie+kolberg+memmel&sprefix=Katie+Kolberg+Memmel%2Caps%2C174

 

The paperback of "Silly Stories and Sentimental Stuff" is now available!

Hello Dear Readers!

Just a quick note to say that my brand new book, "Silly Stories and Sentimental Stuff" is now available via Amazon as a paperback. A couple of weeks ago I released the eBook, and now the "real deal" is just a mouse-click away. I'm still awaiting the arrival of my own personal shipment, which I'll be happy to sign and send once they arrive. However, if you're looking for a stocking stuffer for Christmas, consider ordering your copy online. 

I hope this post finds you happy and healthy. All is well in my neck of the woods.

Happy Reading!!!

Katie

#newbook  #sillystories  #sentimentalstuff  #writing  #editing  #publishing  #workinghard

Here's the link:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_20?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=katie+kolberg+memmel&sprefix=Katie+Kolberg+Memmel%2Caps%2C260

Is your life a wonderful life?

Okay, so probably about a month ago, I was talking with an old friend of mine. She had tickets this season to see a stage production of “It’s a Wonderful Life.” After marveling for a minute (or five) at how lucky I felt she was, she confessed, “I’ve never seen the movie.”  

Stop right there. Never seen the movie? At our age? Technically, she’s two years older than me, so that made me all the more surprised. I reflected back to the first time I had actually seen it. It was a Saturday night in early December of 1987. Tony had just turned two that week. I remember sitting on the living room floor, wrapping Christmas gifts, and crying at the end when the whole movie came together.   

Back to present day, I noticed that the movie was scheduled on NBC for 7 p.m. last Saturday night. When I saw the listing I shot my friend a text message and told her she could watch it, if she had the time. As long as Todd and I were home, I suggested we should watch it again too. For me, the movie’s message never gets old. 

The story’s main character, George Bailey (played by James Stewart) says, “I suppose it’d  been better if I’d never been born.” It allows the viewer to look back and see how his life pieced together – decision by decision – and how each one shaped, not only George’s own life, but so many other people around him as well. If George had never been born, so many of life’s circumstances would never have happened, or would have happened completely differently – most for the worst, in this case.  

My annual viewing made me stop and think about my own life and the lives of those I love. How have the decisions that I’ve made, or not made, impacted the people around me? Yes, there are the obvious things that stand out – marriage, children, etc. But within all of that, in the nitty gritty of life, what differences were made by my simply “existing?” The truth is that I/we might never know the difference we make in another person’s life. 

Take my children for example… One of my daughter’s favorite songs – it’s more of her ‘theme song’ really – is Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down.” Even as a little girl, Megan would dig her heels in and have hefty opinions. At times, as her mother, that trait drove me crazy. But as a young teen and young adult, her opinions were extremely valid and admirable. In matters that really counted, she didn’t back down, and that fact made me very proud. She’s still that way when she sees something askew or wrong. Because she spoke out for herself and for others, did she ever change someone’s heart or mind? If she hadn’t been there at a particular time, would someone have chosen differently? I don’t know. Maybe, maybe not… I hope that whatever she did/said mattered. 

And Tony – born without his left forearm and hand, taught himself the guitar, and regularly exercised his lovable sense of humor. How has his life changed others? I told him in a recent phone conversation how adaptable he is in life's many circumstances. It doesn’t matter who he’s with or who he’s supposed to play for – he smiles and adapts. How many school age children have benefited by his and Lesleigh’s music clinics and concerts? Because they so often work together, how has their marriage reflected out into the world? How many teenagers who face difficulties have met Tony and thought If he can do that with one hand, maybe I could do it too… I don’t really know. Maybe many, or maybe just one or two - but certainly someone. Of that I’m very sure.

And me – if I’d never met and married Todd, if we’d never given birth to our next generation, if we’d never gone through all of our parenting sorrows and joys, if I’d never written “Five Fingers…”  Well, who even knows? Something interesting happened a while ago. I was at a high school, speaking with a Family Living class about our story. Afterwards, a young male student came up to me, shook my hand, and asked me a few questions. Later, the teacher came over to me and said, “He hasn’t said anything all semester. Today he spoke with you…” Honestly, I’ll probably never see that young man again. It was a brief moment in time. Did I make a difference that day? I don’t know. Maybe… I hope so. 

I guess what I’m trying to say is that when you look at your life and see all of the people you’ve been in contact with and possibly influenced for the good – take a moment to appreciate your life, your gifts and talents, your personality. Thank God you were born, and that you have/had every opportunity – the good as well as the ones we perceive as negative. None of us ever knows who’s watching or what they’re thinking. None of us ever knows the difference we might be making, just by being exactly who we are.  

At 9:58 last Saturday night, my friend texted me back. “That was a really good movie!” she said.  

I’d have to agree with her on that. I’d even go so far as to say it’s a wonderful movie about a wonderful life. 

Now go out and have a wonderful day…!

 

Katie Kolberg Memmel is the author of “Five Fingers, Ten Toes – A Mother’s Story of Raising a Child Born with a Limb Difference.” For more information, visit her website at www.katiekolbergmemmel.com 

Thanksgiving AND a Birthday - what a week!

Wow, what a week… In a good way!  

A while back, Tony called and asked if we’d like to come down to Nashville for Thanksgiving. He also said that Megan, Joe and Jakey would be joining the fun. We accepted, of course! Yes, our family did have the opportunity to be in the same room together for a few hours last summer, but we hadn’t spent any real quantity or quality of time together for a couple of years. Needless to say, I was thrilled!  

Sooo… exactly one week ago right now (Wednesday, 10 a.m. CST), Todd and I were heading south on I-94, almost entering Chicago. Other than two stops for gas and for nourishment, we made it to Nashville in about 9 ½ hours. Add on that we had to stop at the mall because Todd wanted to buy cinnamon rolls from Cinnabon (ye ole’ fam tradish. The next morning's parade would not be complete without the scent and flavor of cinnamon). Basically, we arrived at Tony and Lesleigh’s in time to spend the evening with our kids.  

Thanksgiving may just be my favorite holiday. I love the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, I love getting together with loved ones, I enjoy the food and football. Overall, I love the relaxed feel to the day. And if you recall, from my last blog post (here’s the link in case you missed it: http://katiekolbergmemmel.blogspot.com/2015/11/a-thanksgiving-challenge.html ), I had been focusing on the things I was most thankful for this year, and had made a list of ten items every day for ten days. I felt that doing this greatly improved my overall attitude.
  

The weather on Thursday was incredible. You must understand that when we left Wisconsin, there was still some snow on the ground from the prior weekend’s snowfall. So…when we got to Nashville and it was close to 70 degrees and sunny, it felt amazing to us. We went for a walk, and took turns sitting out on the kids’ balcony, enjoying their views. We all played with, sang to, and snuggled Jakey. It was such a joy to spend Thanksgiving Day with our new little grandchild. If you recall, it was last year on that day that we enjoyed a Skype session with Megan and Joe, and they told us she was expecting. They gave us a sleeper with a turkey on it – well, this year, the turkey was actually being worn. Adorable! (Here’s the link if you’d like to read about their announcement: http://katiekolbergmemmel.blogspot.com/2015/01/megan-joe-and-their-big-announcement.html ). 
 

Lesleigh prepared (all by herself – no help) the entire feast for the day. Turkey, mashed potatoes, apple stuffing, homemade macaroni & cheese, rolls, green beans with nuts and goat cheese, two pumpkin desserts… mmmmm…. Yes please! I’m getting hungry all over again just thinking about it.

As many of you know, we are all big Green Bay Packers fans, and since they were playing at 7:30 that night, we were all gearing up and getting excited. While we waited for the game to begin, we played a game as a family – trying to describe movie titles to our team mates, in record time. We split our teams into Women vs. Men. Ummm… the gals won (wink). Unfortunately, the Packers did not… so we all went to bed and got ready for the next day. 

Since it was Black Friday, we decided to go out for lunch, but leave a little early, just in case hungry shoppers mobbed the restaurant. We ate at a new Mexican restaurant, everyone trying their fav flavs of tacos, beans, rice, etc. When we got back we all went for a walk to the farmer’s market near Tony & Lesleigh’s place, and did a bit of browsing, as well as ate some ice-cream. Tony thought it might be fun to do some Christmas decorating as a family. It had been many years since we’d all done that together. He put on some Christmas music (John Denver & the Muppets) and we strung lights, unwrapped ornaments, and did some reminiscing. I must admit, tears filled my eyes with the music and the memories – both the old and the newly-created. To end the day, we ordered pizza and sat around talking.

 

Megan, Joe and Jake left very early (like middle-of-the-night early) to drive back to Connecticut. I guess the baby made an excellent traveler as he rode thru both long treks of their journey. They did arrive home safely late in the day on Saturday. Since Lesleigh had to work, Tony, Todd and I went downtown and enjoyed some shopping and music at some of Nashville’s establishments. It was raining, but we had umbrellas, so…  

And on Saturday night, the four of us ate Chinese, and sat around talking about the kids’ brand new album. They are SO EXCITED to share this brand new music with you all. Some of the songs will be familiar, and some have never-before been heard. The name of the album is "We’ll Be on the Radio" and has been a dream of theirs to record for quite some time. Keep your eyes (and especially your ears) peeled for the new release, coming soon.  

Sunday morning it was time for Todd and me to hit the road and head home. We took a less-traveled route, and although the mileage is longer, the traffic is nowhere near as terrific. I’d vote for that route again. 

And so here I am, a whole week later, unable to believe how fast time moves. Not to mention that today is December 2, and tomorrow is Tony’s 30^th Birthday. Yes, I know, I can’t believe it either. H*ck, I don’t even know where the past week went, much less the past 30 years!


 

But seriously, I want to end this post on a more serious note… You know, I was so unsure of how life would play out all those 30 years ago. Sometimes these birthday anniversaries are a little hard because of the emotions I faced after Tony’s birth. I’m not really proud of that, but it is true. So what an absolute JOY it is for me to honestly say how proud I am of all that he’s accomplished and become. He has shown me every step of the way that my early judgments were unnecessary and quite wrong. I am so grateful to have had this guy in my life for the past 30 years. 

Happy Birthday, Tony! Here’s to another 30 (Sure, I’ll be 84 then, but if you’re still nice, maybe I’ll mention you in my blog then too). 

 

Katie Kolberg Memmel is the author of “Five Fingers, Ten Toes – A Mother’s Story of Raising a Child Born with a Limb Difference.” For more information, visit her website at www.katiekolbergmemmel.com  #WBOTR #LuckyFinsRock #FiveFingersTenToes #HappyBirthday

My New eBook is now available!

The cover of my new book

"Silly Stories and Sentimental Stuff"

 

Hello!

I just wanted to touch base with an update regarding the "Thanksgiving Challenge" I mentioned in my last Blog post. I've stayed true to writing down ten things per day that I'm thankful for, and I think I'm going to continue this exercise past Thanksgiving day. It's quite beneficial, in my opinion.

And the other thing I wanted to announce is that I have released my new book, "Silly Stories and Sentimental Stuff." Right now it's an eBook, but a paperback is in the works. It's a compilation of some of my favorite writing pieces - both the lighthearted as well as the heart-felt. Early reviews are telling me that my stories are "relatable," and "fun," and one nice woman told me the writing is "clever," which I loved hearing! :) 

Here is the link to Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Silly-Stories-Sentimental-Kolberg-Memmel-ebook/dp/B0188F48VA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1448041202&sr=8-2&keywords=Katie+Kolberg+Memmel

I hope that all who are celebrating Thanksgiving have a wonderful weekend. I can't wait to see how mine plays out, and share some of the details with you. Until then...

Happy Reading (and eating) (and shopping?) (and conversating with fam & pals) (and...) Well, you get the picture!

Katie