Part I Note (aka Warning) to Reader: I've been away awhile and am feeling wordy. I don’t know about you, but when it comes to setting sail on the sea of life, my little boat bounces around a LOT. I’m 52; you’d think I’d have things figured out! Still. I think I’m getting there. Do you want to know my secret for calming down the … [Read more...]
Stranger Things & Scary Smartphones: Part II
How a Hit #Netflix Series is Helping me Parent This is a 3-Part Series on the Need to Establish Smartphone Monitoring, including (but not limited to) a Stranger Things list of what to do and NOT do. (You can read Part I HERE.) Okay, okay, I get it. Part 1 was written eight years ago and you're thinking...What the heck, Margaret?! Why's … [Read more...]
When Being Hyper-Controlling went Poorly for Me
Or: The Mom I was vs. the Mom I am, 20 years and 7 kids later. Warning: This story comes with a moral attached and gets a little bit…raw at times. If you do not wish to profit from my hard-earned wisdom, (ha), or feel uncomfortable dealing with difficult themes, here’s a cute kitty meme: Now scoot, ‘cause some shit's about to … [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...]
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...]
Getting the Pin: An Inaugural Reflection
You guys. I started out January thinking, "Okay, I'm going to schedule ALL THE THINGS and like that, I'll get the important things done. My poor forsaken blogging habit! Do I not think it's important? No excuses, though, 'cause I am having a pretty good year so far. Note that I didn't say "perfect" year, because I don't want you getting all … [Read more...]
Room with a View
An Election Day Meditation Autumn in Minnesota continues to be absolutely gorgeous. This picture was taken a few days ago. It's a shot of my bedroom from the kids' playground out back, where I was taking a break from going down the slide with my 3-year-old. (Note: as a creaky 50-year-old, I needed to take lots of breaks!) Looking … [Read more...]
On how I’ve been Massively Successful in all my Endeavors
It's simple, really. For the past month, give or take a day here and there, I have focused on success in the following areas: 1. Overeating; 2. Overspending; 3. Under-exercising; 4. Under-cleaning; and 5. Dealing with a mental health issue that's not my own. And THAT'S why I haven't been blogging at all, because I'm pretty sure you've … [Read more...]
Grief, Grace and Unbelievable Goodness
I know you have plenty to read and do today, so I'm going to keep this very brief. It's Good Friday, emphasis on that first word "Good." Today is the day--the day of days. Our Lord has triumphed over sin! He will continue to triumph over sin. Praise Him for that. Thank Him for that. To God--and Jesus--be all the glory. Yet … [Read more...]
Deep Thoughts on Donald Trump
Part II of my Series “The VERY Hard Work of Lasting Change” You can read Part I here. This is me, going on a Facebook foray: The world is my oyster! Or rather, in this case, my PB & J. Mmmm....I start to sample the goods in my feed. This is also known as “scrolling,” whereupon I roll my cursor down down … [Read more...]
