Taking Down the Christmas Tree

How do I love and look forward to Christmas so much…

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Christmas Time is Here…

…bringing on a full-on identity crisis. With the exception of a couple angsty holidays in my 20s, I’ve always loved Christmas. But I’ve always felt conflicted about loving Christmas, like, am I the sort of person who loves Christmas? I rally hard (although less hard now that I have kids) against a lot that Christmas-season brings to the table, things like: consumerism, out-decorating your neighbors, unabashed and aggressive displays of religion that I worry it makes others feel excluded, buying clothes to be worn only once or twice, and the uptick in depression and anxiety for so many people. You know, just light stuff.

2009/2019

I’ve had quite a few friends posting Look-How-Far-I’ve-Come photos on social media comparing 2009 and 2019. Only people who have something to boast about, I’ve noticed: mostly writers who have found their publishers and are starting to feel like the real thing. The kind of posts that make those sour grapes really sting the palate.

Of course, I’m proud of all my friends and colleagues who have come into their own in the last decade. I’m lucky to know a lot of truly talented people. But, not being among the recently published, I’ve been going through the other aspects of my life that have changed in the last decade. I mean, I had two children! I put my name on a mortgage! I learned what microblading is! (Just last week, actually–thank you, Miss Sheri.)

So here are some of the ways I’ve changed in the last decade. I guess I’ve become a grown-up.

Kind of.

Is it Thanksgiving Yet?

Hello, Sensitive, Bookish Type readers. You might notice that I am not your usual host, Laura. Although we do share some similarities (curly hair, same degrees, mama of some cute kids, avid readers), we are different people, living in different lands. BUT, recently Laura asked if I would contribute to her blog on the semi-regular. I said, “Would I ever!?” I feel so honored to be included! So, here’s a little introduction.

My name is Kate and I am an illustrator, comic-maker, mama, wife. I just recently quit a full-time gig as a development director to spend a little more time with my kids before they want nothing to do with me, and also to pursue my illustration career more whole-heartedly through my moniker, Party Krill. I’ll be popping in here to share little illustrations, charts and lists on parenthood, and comics. Through those, I think you’ll get to know me pretty well. Maybe better than you wanted to. We’ll see. I’ll leave it at that for now and give you your first comic, which, like most of my comics, is based on a real conversation between me and my sweet, wild, impatient, hilarious son.

Getting Older Hurts.

The True Origin of Daylight Savings Time

Motherly Advice, Part One: Robot Mom

Mother’s Day is coming, so all this week I’ll be posting fabulous bits of advice from mothers of all walks of life–except maybe human. Human moms are boring.

The Changing of Seasons Is Always Hard.

Winter’s done her shift. Get with the program, Spring.

The Story of Nancy