Originally intended to simply focus on book reviews, over time, KaliDesautelsReads has morphed into its own entity.
I write about issues that are near to my heart, be they political, feminist, motherhood, mental health, or, as the title holds, books.
A thirty-something Canadian woman in my mid-thirties, I have been “super married” to my high school sweetheart since 2006, and together we have two crazy, clever, kind, hilarious, wonderful kids.
My first book – How Not To Blog: Finding Myself, One Post at a Time is available on Amazon (in eBook formats for you clever tech readers, and paperback for those of us who love that new book smell!)
I have tried a podcast – it’s still on Apple and Google Podcasts – but writing is where my heart is.
My life changed dramatically when my husband was diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer in 2018, and I am now a writer for a leading Canadian Cancer Non-Profit.
I am lucky enough to have a family that loves me and pushes me to be my best, even if it is outside of my cushiony comfort zone. I have a village of friends that nourish me, mentally, and spiritually.
Welcome to my thoughts. Sit down. Stay a while. Enjoy a cup of coffee!
I have waited 12 years to watch my very favourite Christmas movie with my kids. I am sad that they are growing, but also so happy to be able to share my favourite Christmas traditions with my not-so-little loves.
Happy Thanksgiving to my American friends! I hope your family time, or solo time, or whatever time you needed to revisit your year filled you with love and gratitude.
I would also like to acknowledge the aboriginal peoples for whom this day is not a day of celebration, but rather a day of national mourning.
Tall Girl Problems – when the door in the bathroom stall goes to the floor, but can see over it.
Today was another interview day! First interview went well (I think??!?!), second interview was… odd???, third interview stood me up!
2 more lined up for next week… if I can manage to convince someone that I am really rather wonderful, I will hopefully find somewhere to hang my metaphorical hat soon… seriously – if you have any leads, help a woman out, pretty please! Job hunting at Christmas time is not proving to be as easy as I would like lol
When I count my blessings, my kids are right at the very top. This girl (who loves having her picture taken) and my boy (who is anti-picture these days) are my whole entire world. Being home over the last 2 weeks has meant sooooo much more kid and mama time and for that I am markedly grateful. They are funny and whip smart, and argumentative and opinionated, and dance, and run around and have their own brother/sister language that I will never understand (which is exactly how it should be. I have the same with my brother and sister, and it is all our own). P.s. – in this pic, I am also grateful to my friend Sam for sending us Starbucks last week!!! #gratitude #mykids #mygirl #lovemykids #timewithfamily #myloves💕 #littleones #loops #starbucks #christmascups #angel #thankyou #christmastime #kalidesautelsreads
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There is nothing like a good kidnapping with these 2. What started as 3 awkward women, who feel uncomfortable around new people, turned out to be a trio of fierce friends, who cannot be together without lots and lots of giggles.
Today, they kidnapped me and we saw the BEST movie I have seen all year, followed by lunch, and even more giggles. If you want to see a movie this weekend, GO SEE KNIVES OUT!!!! It is the funniest, cleverest, most amazing movie that I have seen in 2019.
And while you’re at it? Find yourself some women that love you, and that you love, as much as this. It’s worth it.
My family on the first snowy day of the year. We did this little lady’s Christmas concert, this weekend, so we are an exhausted bunch!!! From my crew to you, Happy December!
I cannot deny that I struggle to gain a foothold in the middle ground. It’s either all or nothing. Occasionally it’s even both. The middle ground is the weird place that I race through from one end of the spectrum to the other. I am learning not to treat this place like Wonder Woman racing across No-Man’s land with her shield and cuffs deflecting anything to slow me down, but it’s not easy for me. My natural inclination is to swing dramatically from one side to the other, while my family and friends try to remind me that this isn’t a necessary or healthy part of life. …. so yeah, when I watch the office at 3AM, I get philosophical.
Plus, I can really, really, really relate to the awkwardness of Michael Scott. 😉
Your midweek reminder that you are tough. Even though you might not feel like it, one day you will look back at the you that is today – the one wearing your holy sweatshirt, and worn out slippers, curled up and not sure you can handle this anymore – and you will be proud of yourself, because you are tough. Life didn’t get you yet. You kept going when the only place that you felt safe was under the weight of a your blanket. You put on the smile that didn’t reach your eyes and made dinner for your kids and have them the cuddles that you needed even more than they did. You will look at this you and think “holy fracking Hannah! I did it. I got here. I am still here!!!” Life is tough, but so are you. And until you feel proud of yourself, I’ll be over here handling it for you, and cheering you on.
This isn’t the first time I have washed my mug, but it is the first time that I actually read the bottom of my mug… ages 14+?? To use a mug??? I mean I get that the SHOW is 14+, but the MUG??? For the record – the mug says Normal People Scare Me. Nothing else. No gruesome images… but keep away from kids, ladies and gentlemen!!!
I am a human, but I was raised by elves! Today, I am celebrating.I am wrapping gifts, I am watching Christmas movies, and totally put mini marshmallows (donated by Ty and Danielle) into my coffee this morning. If I had syrup, I’d probably add syrup to my coffee today! 😉 I am pinching myself. I have come full circle this year – at this time last year, I was a couple of weeks away from Dave being diagnosed with Stage 3 Colorectal Cancer. This year, I am a couple of weeks away from my new job which will allow me to help other families in that situation.
What did you dream of when you were little? What did you want to be when you grew up? Did you do it, or did your dream change as you aged?
My siblings reminded me recently that my dream as a child was to help people. I wanted to open a women’s shelter, or work for a charity that would help make the world a better place. As I got older, I ran into barriers to this dream, and adapted to what I believed that I would be able to do. I looked at what I saw as do-gooders, and didn’t see how my temperament, skills or strengths could fit in. I am an introvert, so I couldn’t run debates, or give speeches; I don’t like blood, or needles and do not have the immune system to work in the medical field; I don’t have the strength or stamina to be an athlete for a cure; and most of all, I have a huge, overwhelming, tragic fear of failure, and of letting people down. So I didn’t do anything. I thought maybe I would be a choreographer, or a fashion designer, but I didn’t think I was as good as other dancers, so there was no point int trying that; and I hate sewing, and am a weak artist, so I felt like that was off of the table. So I stuck to the basic things that I could do – I could be an administrator. I could work in retail. I eventually realized that I could proofread and edit. I wanted to move into social justice, or non-profit, but most of what I found required a degree in social work or 5 years experience, of which I had neither.
Fast forward to me a month shy of my 37th birthday and I am finally moving into type of job that I had always wanted. Way back when I knew that people could help other people, and that that was an ambition. Back when I didn’t know that I COULD fail. Back when I wasn’t so convinced in my lack of prowess and ability.
Why am I so excited to be moving into my new role with the Canadian Cancer Society? Because the 8 year old Kali, who didn’t know that she would become scared A LOT is cheering loudly inside my head and asking me what the heck took me so long.
Kali J Desautels 