Wornoutwoman

So from time to time, I take a few photos.  Okay, so maybe I do it every day.  I'm a cloud fanatic.  I'll often post them on Instagram at @KMcKay and tag them with #cloudporn or #cloudlovers. Last week, I was walking around the lake, with my best friend, Susan, when I stopped for this photo. Susan and I walk as our boys kayak or paddleboard during the week. It's good for her as she needs to get her steps in for the day, and it's good for me as I get to snap random photos along our walks. It's therapeutic for us both as we talk about what's going on in our lives, and we're able to let go of stresses or celebrate triumphs. And she allows me my indulgence of photo-snapping as we take certain turns around the lake.   As I snapped the above photo, she paused and smiled - knowing I had to get 'just one more.' She doesn't skip a beat once I finish and we go on our way. I loved this photo so much that I changed m...

This has been one of the busiest summers I can remember.  As my kid gets older, there are more parties, interests, and activities he's delving into which means more drive time, which I'm happy to do.  I know my ever-changing Manual for Motherhood is filling up, as I grow as a mom with my child's different stages. Every phase, I marvel at how blessed I am to be my kid's mom. This summer, we decided to try something different. Lil' T is at the age, where church intramural teams have aged out, and team sports for school don't start till next year. So he's been in limbo, without something motivating him to stay active.  I didn't want him sitting inside all summer, on his computer playing Minecraft. As we were researching our options, a friend recommended kayaking. Oklahoma City has a training site for top rowing athletes, in which they train Olympic athletes.  Our friend told us about their program for kids, which seemed like a good introduction ...

This week has been very productive.  Not only did I get the final cover signed off on - for COMING HOME, but I also got the mock cover finished for the re-release of FINDING KYLIE, which will be available next month as well.  This way - I can have a few copies of FINDING KYLIE available at my book launch party for COMING HOME. Speaking of COMING HOME - I woke up today to an email from a writer, who gave a very positive review. It was published in Blogcritics magazine and the Seattle pi. You can see Blogcritics review  here and the Seattle pi review  here  -- but if you don't want to read the whole thing, then let me post the best part for your convenience: " Coming Home   is really about Anne and her ability to come to terms with the things that have shaped her past: the death of her parents, the inability to live in the elite world of her grandparents, the failed relationships, and, most of all, the alienation of her little sister Grace. But...

I hope you never have to deal with a severe allergic reaction, as it's not only scary but can be life-threatening.   Through the last thirteen years, I've dealt with not only my husband having severe food allergies but my child. Not once - but twice have I had to watch my husband go through an anaphylactic attack, which is the most terrifying experience.  Most of you might be saying an 'ana what?' But trust me, you need to know what could happen.  Anaphylaxis  is an allergic reaction, which comes on quick, shutting the airways down and can result in death.   Needless to say,  EpiPens  are severely important to my family.  My son, thankfully, has outgrown his allergies, but we keep one ... just in case. A close friend of mine, John Schwab, is a champion for the Anaphylaxis Campaign , an organization, which tries to educate the general public about this serious condition.  He is also a believer in having his  ...