Christine Otten

Free College | Planet Ryan

Back in August 2011, I wrote my first column for this awesome, award-winning newspaper. Here I am, three years later. Cheers! Most regular readers of my column will know that…

marks

Discovering the Wizard | Mark’s Remarks

My 3-year old and I went to see “The Wizard of Oz” stage play on Saturday night. Since her mother and I are well aware of the whole flying monkey…

marks

Random thoughts about breakfast | Mark’s Remarks

I sat with my kids the other morning and started thinking about the whole idea of breakfast. Our routine at breakfast time is usually the same: Individual kids pad into…

marks

Tasks at Hand | Mark’s Remarks

Every year about this time, I tend to focus on the negative instead of the positive. That sort of stinks. I look at the summer each time August rolls around…

Leaving your comfort zone | Planet Ryan

I’m as guilty as the next person when it comes to following a daily, comfortable routine. I would bet most of us are. Do this, this, this, and that, and…

marks

The mad dash: Sunday mornings and vacations | Mark’s Remarks

I have always thought that our routines on Sunday mornings or right before going on vacation would make a great episode of a sitcom. It could be called “Hurry Up…

marks

Faith | Mark’s Remarks

I’ve told you before about my daughter being a brain cancer survivor. She had the cancer as an infant and is now a healthy, normal little girl. Other than periodic…

What is the Cloud? | Planet Ryan

As the self-appointed technology go-to person in my circle of influence, I find myself explaining (or attempting to explain) all the new jargon and buzzwords we hear from the internet…

marks

Readers | Mark’s Remarks

I’m so thankful for people who read my column. I’m thankful for the ones who like the column, of course. However, I’m also thankful for the ones who don’t like…

marks

Growing out of things | Mark’s Remarks

I’ve told you before that getting rid of my kids’ toys is sometimes an emotional issue. Being a neatness nut, I’m all about getting things out of my house, purging,…