KellyVollmer
Kelly first moved to New Orleans to attend Tulane University, from which she earned a B.S. in Psychology and English and an M.A. in English. She quickly discovered New Orleans was the place where she had always belonged and her high school sweetheart, Jeff, soon followed her here. They have now been married for 12 year and have two beautiful girls, Emma Jane (7) and Hannah (3). Kelly is a lover of all things nerdy and a proud fangirl. Though she loves to stay busy and involved, she recently left her job as a high school English teacher and sponsor to focus on her family and health. She is now teaching composition part time for a local university, working to revive her love of reading and writing, and focusing on being a more present mom.
Dear Fellow Moms :: How Do You Do It?
Dear Fellow Moms,
How do you do it?
I see you posting pictures of fun family activities, annual vacations to Disney, girls’ nights, and sweaty selfies after an independent workout, and I wonder how you do...
Only in NOLA :: Finding a Way to Keep the Magic Alive
“Will we go to the parades in Memphis instead?” my 7-year-old asked me last year when I told her that, for the first time in years, we would not be in town for the...
I Don’t Want to be Remembered as a Mean Mom
Every time a meme about moms yelling at their kids comes across my news feed, I feel a small sense of comfort because it reminds me that it’s not just me.
My girls are both...
How Do You Eat an Elephant?
There is a meme that has crossed my feed a couple of times recently that asks something like, “are you the ‘I’m frozen and can’t do anything type of anxiety’ or the ‘I have...
Reindeer Games: Addressing the White Elephant in the Room
This year, the holidays are going to look a little different, but many people are still finding ways to incorporate their favorite holiday gift-exchange games. I love holiday gift exchanges, but I’ve also been...
My Love Affair with Amazon Gift Bags
One of my favorite things about the holidays has always been gift wrapping. I realize that many find it time-consuming, stressful, and wasteful, but I’ve always enjoyed grabbing a mug of hot cocoa or...
Gift Ideas for Book Lovers
I have been a bookworm for as long as I can remember. I love to cozy up on my couch and get lost in the pages of a new adventure. I consider classic characters...
Car Space = Headspace
Come to my house on the weekend, and you’re sure to hear music playing. Someone in the house has his or her favorite music blasting on every speaker. Give me a song from my...
Am I Sick? :: When COVID Has You Questioning Everything
I have always loved school and was never one to play hooky, so as a child if I ever told my mom that I didn’t feel well and wanted to stay home from school,...
Why “My Bad” is So Bad
Sometime earlier this year, my 8-year old picked up the phrase “my bad.”
I’m not really sure where she got it from. My husband uses the phrase every once in a while, but it’s far...
The Power of Ruth
When I became pregnant with my first daughter, I knew I was going to name her Jane. My husband wanted a different name. I knew I was going to get my way, but I...
Names are Important
As an English teacher, one of my favorite lessons to teach my students through literature has always been “names are important.” I ask my students to consider what a character’s name reveals about him....
Yes, I Do Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans
The first time I came to New Orleans, I was a high school senior considering Tulane University. After spending an afternoon in the French Quarter, before I had even set foot on Tulane’s campus,...
Bye-Bye Babies: One Onsie at a Time
Growing up I only had a younger brother, but I also had a large extended family. I was constantly surrounded by aunts, uncles, and cousins, and as a result, I always knew I wanted...