Takin’ care of business in the form of a love letter

Dear Lovely Reader,

In the past year, I entered middle age, experienced a few medical scares, fell apart emotionally, and accidentally ate a worm. Somehow I’ve managed to recover, assess my life, and come to the conclusion that I must change a few things about myself in order to grow older with dignity and fewer grey hairs.

For example, I now *pour out* the organic raisins before I dig in and start eating.

Other changes include correcting destructive thought patterns, surrounding myself with a more positive, healing circle of loved ones and accepting that my waist will never again look good from a side-angle. I also changed my writing to reflect a new-found maturity and love of life.

What unites us? What brings us together instead of apart?

I’ll tell you what – crazy-ass kids, a spouse in love with his iPhone, and parents who can’t fix their coffee machine, but learned how to post comments on Facebook.

This has had some pretty interesting results. A focus on humor writing has led to a recurring gig at The Tampa Tribune, increased readership here, and zero hatemail in two months’ time.

If you are new to me:

- Welcome.
- Friend me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.
- Subscribe!
- Click on the ads to your right because, let’s face it, my kids’ college tuition isn’t going to pay for itself.

If you keep coming back for more:

- Thanks for sticking with me.
- You too can friend me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.
- Subscribe!
- Click on those ads, too. Help a sister out.

What else can you do?

- Bookmark Out in Left Field and tell your friends. Word of mouth is the best way to help your favorite, friendly, and funny blogger.

- Vote for me! A mensch nominated me for the Sun-Sentinel BOB Awards in the following categories: Defies Categorization, Family, and Personal. Get over there and vote, pretty please with a sugar-coated cherry on top? Every little bit helps.

- Check out my THIRD column at The Tampa Tribune and kneel before my editor’s skills at making my words FAMILY FRIENDLY. Consider buying a copy of Mother Trib every other Saturday (and more because the reporters are hard-working friends of mine who rock.)

- Read my weekly post at Creative Loafing if you miss my politics and curse words. More often then not, they make it into the print version so pick up a copy of Creative Loafing every Wednesday – it’s free!

- Enjoy my wholesome tale of murder and revenge at Olivia’s Kiss. It’s a work of pure fiction…I promise. The last chapter goes up on March 1st and then it’s over!

- Bookmark all my sites, check in regularly, and spread the word. Especially if you like what you read and even if you don’t.

- Comment, Comment, Comment. Don’t wait until I piss you off. Send me an email or post a reply for everyone to see. Editors pay attention to comments at their papers, too. So let us all know what you think!

And thank you for everything. I see only good things in my future and look forward to exploring all that is funny and frustrating about parenting and family and marriage and worms in a raisin box – for as long as you’ll have me.

xoxoxoxoxox,
Catherine

Tags: 4you, Catherine Durkin Robinson, creative loafing, Facebook, Olivia's Kiss, Out in Left Field, The Daily Loaf, The Tampa Tribune, Twitter