If you're a mom of teens (and they don't need to be girls, by the way) READ ON, because I need your help in surviving the next two weeks, and if you don't help me I'm gonna crack. "What's in it for me?" you may well demand. Prayers. Devotion. A large Campfire Mocha at the local Caribou. First, a preemptive paragraph about my insane … [Read more...]
Ready, Set…Redemption! A Begin-Again Guide to Advent (Part II)
I fear I got a bit carried away last Friday. I was so happy to be blogging again that I lost track of the original intention—which was, a post on Advent preparation—and veered madly down the path of family updates. Forgive me. Part I was an appetizer—my begin-again at blogging after a 3-month hiatus. Part II, please God, is the meat and … [Read more...]
Some Thoughts on Spring and Mindful Living
Long story short: Gather ye rosebuds petals while ye may! That’s the super-abridged version of what it means to practice mindful living. But since when have I ever kept things brief? Come, Holy Spirit, come! Help me to say what I long to say about these stunningly beautiful trees. First, the bad news: The springtime … [Read more...]
Our Very Downton Abbey Christmas: Wayward Shepherds Notwithstanding
No animals were harmed in the writing of this Downton Abbey Christmas post. However, a Golden Retriever did scarf down 100's of spilled Reeses Puffs AND a digital thermometer was thoroughly torched. Okay, so maybe not 100's. Still, the dog was pleased to be treated to such a junky snack and what's more, I let him 'cause I had a … [Read more...]
Going Places: a Midlife Reflection & Modern Map Art Review
Once, for Christmas, my four sisters and I drew names for a gift exchange. My sister Mary was surprised, I think, when I told her the "boring" gift that I had in mind: an atlas. I wanted an atlas. Because I wanted the world. To this day, I love maps and traveling, but am not {currently} at a stage in my life when I can go very far. … [Read more...]
Sacred Space: (Or) How to Keep your Brain from Completely Exploding
August is amping up, is it not? I hate to say it, but with BACK-TO-SCHOOL! looming in the back at the front of our minds, the last two weeks of this month can be pretty much a wash. Well, you know what? It doesn't have to be this way. I have spent most of my summer fighting the many mental lawn gnomes that try their pint-sized best to drag … [Read more...]
Going Home to North Dakota
The June 2017 Edition This will be a post largely told in pictures because when it comes to an altogether too brief family reunion... ...who needs words? Okay, here's a little background. We went home last week—five of my kids and me—to see my Daddy, my brother, my cousin Jim (who was on his way to my parents' hometown), … [Read more...]
Words of Advice from a Grateful Heart: Ten Funeral Tips for the Grieving
This blog post has been on my heart since the funeral. Many of you are or will be going through this process with your parents. With that in mind, I'd like to share ten funeral tips to hopefully help you along the way. * * * We buried our beautiful mother on May Day, four short weeks ago. We laid her to rest on the Feast of St. Joseph the … [Read more...]
The Simple Woman’s Daybook
The post-Chicago Edition This blog post is dedicated to my dear friend Barbara, who asked me to write a post about LIFE. It was inspired by Peggy's blog, where the daybook idea originated. For Today I am happy to be back in this space. I miss blogging dearly—I miss the connections—and I am getting close to maybe (please, God) finding a … [Read more...]
Love, Love, and more {Valentines Day} Love
Six of my six at-home kids are sick, falling like flies to the stomach flu. Poor sweeties. As I was setting out their Valentine's treats this morning, 16-year-old Cate smiled weakly. "Thank you for the puke ammo!" I laughed. This post will be heavier on photos than on words, I think, mainly because I've been taking pictures daily but … [Read more...]
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