Crap. I just “Liked” my own Introduction because I don’t know what I’m doing. But now you know who you’re dealing with. Good luck to both of us…

I’m unpacking parts of my self and many of my experiences. Success will be learning something about myself and making a change for the better, and, if I’m lucky, I will touch or inspire one other person along the way. I’m often inspired or comforted by someone else’s crazy story, and I thought it was time to share a few of my own. I’ll be crass at times, tell some incredibly private stories, make myself laugh – hopefully you, too – and probably offend someone at some point.  There will be typos and clichés. I’m full flaws and some days I’m a bit full of myself. But I do love a good story and I hope to give one to you.

I love my family and friends. For me, it’s all about the relationships we create. I write a little, I draw a little, I read, I hike, I sing in the car while I drive…out-loud and as if I’m on a stage performing. I try to get or give 12 hugs a day. I clean my house a lot, and then I wonder why I bother because it’s a mess again within 10 minutes of putting away the mop.

I lied. I don’t own a mop. I’m old school. I clean the floor on my hands and knees. When I clean them, that is. We have a dog. He really is the floor cleaner.

I am anonymous because I have children and, although I’m choosing to reach out and share, they deserve privacy. Because of our proximity in life, they’re pulled along on my ride and my gut tells me to preserve their space on this adventure. And honestly, there are some things children don’t need to know about their parents until they’re better prepared for the real world. And then there are some things that children never need to know about their parents.

I welcome your stories and thoughts.