The little gal in the photo above? She will be graduating in one short month... ...and suddenly we've entered the season of "lasts." The last choir concert, the last high school play, the last time Mom sneaks into her room to steal I mean, borrow a cute pair of earrings... How did she get here? How did I? Grace, more grace … [Read more...]
Around the Year with the von Trapp Family: Newly (re)Published, Vintage Truths….and 25% off for the Holidays!
(Use discount code radio25 when ordering.) When asked to review the newly (re)published Around the Year with the von Trapp Family, I didn’t hesitate. Knowing Maria von Trapp (of Sound of Music fame), I knew the book would be beautifully written and full of vintage truths... ...and knowing Sophia Institute Press, I knew that the book itself … [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...]
Ready, Set…Redemption! A Begin-Again Guide to Advent
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...]
An Unparalleled Ascent to an Amazing Mother’s Day
Okay, so whose idea was it to schedule Mother’s Day in May, when calendars are packed and tensions run high?! How can our families possibly meet our expectations when they’re running off to soccer games and/or coming down off their spring concert highs? It’s not fair. I say we switch dates with dear old Dad, who gets a nice chill time slot in … [Read more...]
Where I’ve Been and Where I’m Going: a Journey from Overwhelm to Here
So we all have our ways of coping with overwhelm. Clearly mine was to step away from this blog for several months and just....deal. ‘Cause that’s what I’ve been doing but now? I’m back. 😋 Back on Track and Feeling Fine To bring you up to speed and because not everyone’s on Facebook, here’s the briefest of recaps. May 1st was the one-year … [Read more...]
A Free Pre-Valentine’s Day Message (Good for Ash Wednesday, too)
Do you love your husband? Then love your husband. Love your husband the way he needs to be loved. * * * I was at Walmart this morning picking up 4 40-lb bags of water softener salt. (Totally romantic, right?! True love means doing the heavy lifting yourself sometimes.) There were heart-covered vases, heart-bearing teddy bears, and enormous … [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...]
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...]
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