Trying to look for the helpers

On September 11, 2001, I walked into my obstetrician’s office just before the second plane hit. I had no idea anything had happened until I saw everyone in the room leaning in toward the television in the waiting room, or rather, until I saw the looks on their faces. Two and a half weeks later,… more



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Wyatt’s way of saying “please”

Wyatt likes to get his way. When he thinks he’s not going to, this is what he does. more

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It’s all chicken… right?

Wyatt, asking a question about dinner: “It’s not the swimming kind of fish… right? It’s the food kind of fish. Do chicken-fish swim?” more

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A big compliment

Today, Alyssa paid me the highest possible compliment. She said… more

Margaret

I was already frustrated before I made it to the front of the line and realized there was no bag boy. The store was crowded and it had taken longer than I anticipated. My family was waiting for me in the car, impatiently, I was sure. So I was relieved to hear the kind hello… more

Count your blessings

I have a weakness for coffee cups. I have a cabinet dedicated to them and it’s overflowing. I bought each of them for a reason: because the color is just right, or because the handle fits my hand just right, or because it has just the right shape. I like handmade coffee cups. I like… more

Where’s the beef?

Where’s the beef? It’s probably hard to believe, but it’s not at our house. A few months ago, I came across something about a woman whose infertility was caused by a food intolerance, which led me to find something about a person who had an immune disorder that was triggered by certain foods. That one… more

Color me duped

Matthew forces me outside my comfort zone all the time. He has more of a gung-ho personality, and I have more of a not so much gung-ho personality.

Example:

Matt: Let’s move to the Florida Keys.

Me: But what kind of jobs would we get and where would we live and what kind of school system do they have and oh. my. goodness. They have hurricanes. more

Like Bonnie and Clyde

Once when I was 13, we made stops at five different McDonald’s on a trip from Virginia to Michigan. The golden arches have always called my name.

My culinary tastes have grown as I’ve gotten older, but if I’m on the road and need coffee, a quick bite, or just a bathroom break, McDonald’s is still my go-to fast food joint.

But McDonald’s and I, we’re on a steep downhill slide because I detest two-lane drive-thrus. more

Wired on vacation: looking back

The Beach

Last year, for the entire month of December and part of January my mouth was wired shut because I had jaw surgery.

It was a little inconvenient for me because we go to the beach each year during the week between Christmas and New Year’s. But even though I was wired shut, on a liquid diet, and my doctor strongly advised against it, I went anyway. more

Salt dough ornaments and Red Bull. (It’s how we roll).

The finished product

I am not sure what possessed me to volunteer to mix and roll and paint and seal 160 salt dough ornaments to give away.

One hundred sixty. No one should ever doubt how much I love the library and the ladies there.

To tell the truth, when our friends group met and decided to make them for our annual Christmas fundraiser, I didn’t hesitate to help. I imagined my kids and I sharing special moments kind of like those depicted in the Rice Krispy treat commercials.

We would gather around the table and mix and knead and get flour on our noses, making memories while doing something important and worthwhile for our community.

Well. more

My grandparents would be proud

I voted!

Growing up, I heard varied political opinions among my immediate and not so immediate family members.

We’re not a family who goes around talking politics in mixed company. But for the most part, everyone knew where each other stood, and there were no big arguments or debates among them.

At my grandparents house though, things were a little different. more

Fall, Sleepwalkers, and Virginia Tech. Good Times.

Gloomy Gray Cold Fall

Growing up, I heard varied political opinions among my immediate and not so immediate family members.

We’re not a family who goes around talking politics in mixed company. But for the most part, everyone knew where each other stood, and there were no big arguments or debates among them.

At my grandparents house though, things were a little different. more

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Pages: 1 2 3 Next