Since childhood, I've kept many of the handwritten notes and letters people have given me. How wonderful it is to pull them out, hold the paper in my hand and reread the heartfelt messages! In a digital world, handwritten notes remain a refreshing reprise; when they arrive in the mail that adds an extra layer of pleasure, because who wants to get bills and advertisements all the time? Handwritten notes are: More personal More thoughtful More creative Less common And yet, most Continue Reading

At 20 weeks pregnant with my 9th baby, I knew that something was wrong when just sweeping my kitchen floor left me breathless and tired. I also started to notice heart palpitations, chronic fatigue, insane cravings for ice and a nagging feeling of apathy. Since I usually start feeling better during the second trimester, a talk with my midwife was in order. She told me that most women start out with a sufficient store of iron going into pregnancy, but that number can drop when blood volume Continue Reading