Showing up on Time

Having a husband in prison taught me a LOT about what is important in life. The lessons I learned while I was fighting for my family and marriage those 15 years created the foundation for our lives after Ron came home. Something I wasn’t expecting is that I would be applying those principles long after…

October 9, 20190Comments

Bycatherine@theridgeproject.com

making time for fun ron and cathy tijerina

Family

Make time for fun!

The stress of family, work, and other pressures takes a toll on your marriage. You probably didn’t even notice it at first. The small things started to slip away. The good morning kiss, the good-bye hug, the shared intimate looks, holding hands and spending time connecting fade away as busyness takes over. Your commitment and…

September 26, 20190Comments

Bycatherine@theridgeproject.com

Family

Managing your Food Expenses as a Single Parent

I have a confession to make. It is kind of embarrassing, actually. I am a total FOODIE. I mean I love food. Grocery shopping is my all time favorite kind of shopping. I just love walking down all of the aisles and looking at all of the different types of food. I imagine making, and…

May 29, 20190Comments

Bycatherine@theridgeproject.com

Family Mental Health

How to Find a Support Group

This moment changes your lives forever After the trial, everyone goes back to their normal life except for you and your family. This moment changes your lives forever. Your loved one was taken away in handcuffs, and you were left standing there in the court room wondering what to do next. It is a surreal…

May 3, 20190Comments

Bycatherine@theridgeproject.com

prison blog parenting your children from prison

Family

How my Husband Raised His Children from Prison

When Dad goes to prison, children suffer. They suffer the loss of their father in their lives, their homes, and their financial support. However, just because their father is in prison doesn’t mean he cannot be actively involved in raising them. Yes, I really said that fathers who are in prison can still help…

March 18, 20190Comments

Bycatherine@theridgeproject.com

Family Prison

Fighting your prison sentence the right way

The American judicial system is wrought with problems. Not everyone who goes to prison should be there, and not every sentence is just. Justice can be very elusive when the system fails. Prison is always devasting—but it is even more horrific when there is an injustice. Our judicial system fails, and thus lives are…

March 11, 20190Comments

Bycatherine@theridgeproject.com

Family Mental Health

Support Group

“Support Group? That sounds like a place weak people go to complain about their lives. I do not need that!” This is what I often hear from women who are trying to find their footing as their husbands/partners go to prison. I tell them, “If that is what you think a support group is,…

March 8, 20190Comments

Bycatherine@theridgeproject.com

partrner in prison ron & cathy tijierina

Family Prison

How to deal with your Partner in Prison

Dealing with your partner in prison is hard. Your entire life has been tipped upside down and you are hanging on for dear life. You are trying to process all the areas of your life that have been furthermore affected by his incarceration. It is a lot to process! Although your heart is…

March 1, 20190Comments

Bycatherine@theridgeproject.com

ron and cathy tijerina 2019 budgeting for single mom

Family

Setting your 2019 Budget with a Family in Mind

We are well into 2019 now and it has already been an eventful and surprising year for us! The check engine lights came on in both of our cars, my washing machine broke down, our daughter turned 16 at the end of 2018 and is driving so our insurance jumped way up. It is crazy…

February 26, 20190Comments

Bycatherine@theridgeproject.com

Family Prison

Prison food hacks – how to make vending machine food taste better

Are you tired of eating the same old vending machine? I am sure you sick of the vending food if you have been visiting more than four times. If so, I have some great ideas on how to make that over-processed food taste better! I spent 15 years visiting Ron in prisons. I…

February 15, 20190Comments

Bycatherine@theridgeproject.com