Are You Finished Yet?

My Farewell Blog Post

Published on April 1, 2014March 31, 2014 by Kelly Suellentrop30 Comments

Frank Herbert once said, “There is no real ending. It’s just the place where you stop the story.”

I began this story in 2011 with much uncertainty in the method and sometimes in the direction, but with very purposeful intention. The way the story would play out was as much a mystery to me as it was to anyone else. This blog isn’t a novel after all…though I resist the urge weekly to make each post as long as one. I can’t change the story line on a whim or choose my words carefully in order to ensure the right orchestration takes course. Because I blog about my life, my moods, my children…none of which I can omnipotently control. No matter how hard I want to. Continue reading “My Farewell Blog Post” →

Five Things You Can “Consciously Uncouple”

Published on March 28, 2014March 28, 2014 by Kelly Suellentrop51 Comments

You have all probably heard about it by now. Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin of Coldplay are “consciously uncoupling.” And the world just can not handle itself. Mind you, no one is wasting any good snark on the fact that the two are going their separate ways…because, duh, Hollywood. Rather, social media outlets are excited over the fact that the term “divorce” was apparently not authentic enough to describe the dissolution of Paltrow’s and Martin’s marriage. Continue reading “Five Things You Can “Consciously Uncouple”” →

Hi. My Name is Kelly. And I’m a Trend Killer.

Published on March 25, 2014March 24, 2014 by Kelly Suellentrop54 Comments

A few months ago I wrote about my plan to dethrone the Rainbow Loom and offered multiple suggestions for new, cost-free, eco-friendly fads. Little did I know I needn’t spend all that creative energy trying to end the trend of jewelry made from glorified orthodontic rubber bands. I had unknowingly already set that wrecking ball into motion with the simple act of purchasing the Rainbow Loom.

Continue reading “Hi. My Name is Kelly. And I’m a Trend Killer.” →

Similar Tastes: A Letter to My Daughter On Her Birthday

Published on March 18, 2014February 1, 2015 by Kelly Suellentrop21 Comments

My daughter is turning nine years old this week. In the midst of buying last minute gifts, finding a recipe for cookie cake, and confirming party plans at the bowling alley, I felt compelled to revisit something I had written for her two years ago. As time passes, and she seemingly grows into a new person, all the while becoming even more the girl I have always known, the need to tell her things becomes more desperate. Just today, I was out to lunch with her and my son, and as I calculated the tip in the head, I thought, “When they are old enough to start eating at restaurants alone with their friends, I need to remember to tell my kids about tipping. And how much to tip. Because there is nothing worse than a group of obnoxious teenagers who don’t realize they are supposed to leave a few extra bucks for the server.” See? I have a lot to teach her. But then I remembered this letter, and figured it was a pretty good place to start.Because she is still only just nine years old…

Continue reading “Similar Tastes: A Letter to My Daughter On Her Birthday” →

What I Learned From Science This Week: Worry About Yourself

Published on March 4, 2014March 4, 2014 by Kelly Suellentrop50 Comments

I often tell my children, “worry about yourself,” meaning as long as they are making the right choices for themselves, they need to stop sticking their nose in the decisions of others. Most recently, this played out when my daughter decided to tattle on her brother, whom she had deemed to be rewarding himself with an extra helping of Girl Scout cookies without clearance from me. But she clearly needed to mind her own business, because what she didn’t realize was that he never had the first helping of cookies, and I had indeed granted him the Continue reading “What I Learned From Science This Week: Worry About Yourself” →

I Am A Different Mom Now

Published on February 25, 2014February 25, 2014 by Kelly Suellentrop15 Comments

I am really excited to have Maggie Singleton guest posting today for the second time on this blog. (You can read her first guest post about being married to an enginerd here.) Maggie has a serious talent for finding the extraordinary in the ordinary, and writing about it so sincerely and in such a Continue reading “I Am A Different Mom Now” →

I Think I Might Finally Be a Celebrity Girlfriend.

Published on February 18, 2014February 18, 2014 by Kelly Suellentrop35 Comments

I have a secret admirer…who is not so secret. Look at what I received in the mail over the weekend:

It may appear to simply be an autographed head shot of one Micky Dolenz of The Monkees. However, this was an UNSOLICITED autographed head shot of one Micky Dolenz of The Monkees. As in, I did not request or purchase this. It just appeared in my mailbox over Valentine’s weekend.
Continue reading “I Think I Might Finally Be a Celebrity Girlfriend.” →

A Monkey Could Figure Out What Publishers Want

Published on February 15, 2014February 15, 2014 by Kelly SuellentropLeave a comment

I am guest posting over on Tipsy Lit today to close out their Children’s Literature Week. I guess you could say this is my official announcement that I’m writing a book. I know. A blogger, writing a book? It’s unheard of. While in many ways it may seem like a natural step, it doesn’t always feel natural. In fact, it usually feels uncomfortable and frustrating writing and illustrating a book, even before a publisher enters the picture.

I hope you will head over to Tipsy Lit and check it out! Thanks!

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Hallmark, Schmallmark. I Got Your REAL Valentines Right Here.

Published on February 14, 2014February 13, 2014 by Kelly Suellentrop19 Comments

Happy Valentine’s Day! Here is a little something I wrote last year for the holiday of love:

I just spent a mind-numbing half hour helping my son sign eighteen valentine cards for his classmates. Even he was getting bored, evident by his increasingly lax standards of how to make the letters in his name: “This is a different way to make a ‘C,’ Mom.” Looks good to me, buddy. No one is going to pay much attention to your valentine anyway since mom here went the cheap-o route this year and got the ones that don’t come with any Continue reading “Hallmark, Schmallmark. I Got Your REAL Valentines Right Here.” →

The Secret to Being a Good Mother: Cake and Tiger Bites

Published on February 11, 2014February 10, 2014 by Kelly Suellentrop42 Comments

From the time she was born, I have had moments of feeling like I don’t know how to be a good mother to my daughter. Those moments seem to be happening more and more often these days.

The irony of the situation is not lost on me: that she is so much like me, yet at times I seem incapable of parenting her in a way that doesn’t end up with frustration and tears across the board. I should know her better. I should know myself better. Continue reading “The Secret to Being a Good Mother: Cake and Tiger Bites” →