I. I started working at a nursing home when I was 16, and the first winter I worked there, I forgot to ask for Christmas off. The residents needed to eat, and it was my job to pour their drinks, roll silverware into napkins, and do the dishes. While most teenagers would’ve been really excited about time-and-a-half pay, I felt guilty for derailing our family … Continue reading Four Christmases
Married, thirty-something mother of three seeks friends. Continue reading Wanted: Friendship
It started with a discussion about Halloween costumes. I let the kids get fancy store-bought costumes this year, I texted my college roommates, all of them moms. I continued to talk about how I usually have them choose something from our dress-up bin or find something secondhand. I couldn’t fight the urge to explain myself. Then, my friend Katie responded. Our kids have store-bought costumes, … Continue reading That’s Just the Mom That I Am
I’m not exactly a sports nut. I was a cheerleader in high school, and I spent my first football cheer season constantly trying to figure out if my team was on offense or defense. Even with my limited sports knowledge, I do know that Tom Brady played for a while on a team called the Patriots. I’m wondering if that’s why he got confused enough … Continue reading Tom Brady thinks football season is like a military deployment. I think he’s wrong.
Because I forgot to move a load of laundry to the dryer. Because I hear footsteps on the stairs. Because the six-year-old has aching shins–growing pains, again. Because there’s been another shooting in another school. Because teenagers are tossing toilet paper into the neighbor’s trees. Because my husband’s CPAP mask has shifted. Because the dog is snoring. Because I need to list all the reasons … Continue reading Why can’t I sleep?
I want to know who first had the idea for coffee. A quick internet search tells me about the legend of the goat herder, Kalbi, and his high energy, coffee-fruit-nibbling goats. The same search tells me that coffee in its current form has been around for almost 1,000 years. Coffee beans and water. So simple and so brilliant. So, who was it that thought, ‘Hmm, … Continue reading Hyper Goats
MotionlessI watch two pink lines declare your existence–the start of the miracle of you. FrozenI hold my breath, looking for a flutter–your heart on the grainy screen. At restI place my hand on my abdomen, waiting for you to move again–our first high five. SpellboundI drink in your face, wondering who you will be–my favorite new hobby. StillI welcome your head on my shoulder, puffs … Continue reading The Miracle of You
Slip, slide, swear, and cry your way through the Game of Deployment! Continue reading The Game of Deployment
LAS VEGAS, Nevada – A local woman received several books in the mail this month, even though she had made a vow not to purchase new reading material until she had read the books already sitting on her bookshelf. “I know I should read what I have first,” said Melissa Kutsche, 36. “But I got so excited…I couldn’t help myself.” Kutsche also admitted to checking … Continue reading Woman breaks promise to herself, admits to buying new books before reading the books she already owns
Dear Non-Military Friends, The number of holiday cards we receive is getting smaller. I know there are a lot of factors contributing to this – including the fact that in the first seven years of my husband’s military career, we moved four times. But regardless of how many times my address has changed, your cards show up in my mailbox each December without fail. Thank … Continue reading A Note of Gratitude to my Non-Military Friends: You Don’t Have to “Get It” to Get Me
Melissa Kutsche 