...between changing diapers and wearing them

I was sure they had made a mistake. That letterhead was so familiar; the school logo prominent on the front of the envelope. Why would the high school would be sending my son a letter now, over six months after he graduated? Had he forgotten to return a library book? Left stinky shoes in his…

I think I’m still adjusting to it, to be honest with you. That empty bedroom down the hall. When my son came home from college for Thanksgiving, it was magical. He had only three days to visit, so we crammed in all the laughing, chatting, eating, and hanging out that we could muster in that…

It’s that time of year again. Kindergarten Registration is here. One of the most anxiety-ridden decisions many parents will make. Where to send them, full-day or half, are they even ready? Am I even ready? But by the time you’ve made your decisions and get ready to sign on the dotted line you may as…

I love my collection of red stoneware. Not just a Christmas red, but a deep, rich red that goes along with the greens and golds in my dining room. I love looking at them all year round. But as much as I love my red dishes, bowls, and mugs there is something about them I hadn’t…

Thanks to Walgreens for underwriting this post. I was paid as a member of the Clever Girls Collective, but the content is all mine. Visit www.discoverbeautywithin.com/. The New Year is here. It snuck up on me somewhere between decorating the house for the holidays and forgetting to make any resolutions. Part of the problem with…

The coats litter the playground at the elementary school after morning recess. Beautiful, warm, sometimes brand-new coats discarded by busy little bodies who are running and playing so hard that they are no longer cold. Maybe they argued with mom that morning about needing a coat at all, since we live in a moderate climate….

‘Twas ten days after Christmas, and all through my pad… There were no cookies, no fruitcake, no fudge to be had. The daughter had been wrestled from snug in her bed… And returned to her classroom; what each teacher dreads. With hubs in his sweatshirt, and I in my slippers… We drank lots of coffee,…

Apparently 2011 ends tomorrow. What a year it was around here! Since the year-end-wrap-up seems to be the hot ticket in Bloggyland, I thought I would follow along. I’m easily persuaded by peer pressure. And shiny things. I’ve picked my favorite posts from each month in 2011. So if you’re new around these parts, you…

New Years resolutions are not my cup of tea. Come to think of it, they aren’t even my glass of champagne. Sure, I make some in my head each year that manage to be broken by the time the kids head back to school from Winter Break. But I have a new approach to resolutions…

Time marches on, whether we want it to or not. True, there are periods of time that seem to be never-ending. Like that afternoon you spent at the old folk’s home as a Girl Scout, reading poetry and listening to the snores. That is one hour you’ll never get back. I’m hanging out over at…

There once was a little girl, who was quite tiny and cherub-like on her very first Christmas. Only four months old, to be exact. And her very proud parents did what many well-meaning parents do. They took her to see Santa Claus. Her older brother knew the routine one must follow in order to get…

As hard as we may try to create the perfect holiday experience for our families each year, the truth is it doesn’t really exist. Unless you change your perspective on what perfection truly is. It’s Wednesday, so I’m hanging out over at Moonfrye talking about the memories you’ll find in the Christmas chaos. And a…

I probably should have waited another day. It was Christmas morning, after all. The tree was lit and a fire started in the fireplace; the smell of coffee prompting my stomach to growl in anticipation. We had stayed up way too late as was usual on Christmas Eve, wrapping the last of the gifts and…

We go almost every year; usually braving the cold with my bright red scarf and warm Santa hat. Standing along the parade route last Saturday night I looked around at the cheering little ones and happy parents and just felt lucky. Lucky to live in a small-ish town where the holiday parade seems to be…

Just this morning, my calendar screamed that it was December 1st already. How did that happen? This means the holidays are just around the corner…and I have lots to do. But today I am honored to be featured over at The Secret to Success is Support, better known to bloggy-types as The SITS Girls! I’m…