You’d think, what with this being the fourth time and all, that getting a new cancer diagnosis for Blaine wouldn’t be a big deal. Wouldn’t throw me for a loop, rock my world, take the wind out of my sails, or any other corny phrase you prefer to put with it. And really, for the [...]

Last year, on the day of my kids Track and Field Day for school, I was running around like a crazy person with my camera, trying to get photos of my own kids, my nephews, and my friends’ kids. There were other parents there I knew and we were laughing and having a good time. [...]

So, I met my best friend for lunch today. We ate at our favorite sandwich shop, located in a strip mall, then parted ways as he went back to work. The parking lot in the strip mall is kind of crappy, and as I backed my van out of my spot, I was being very [...]

My sister’s family was hit by a random stomach virus last week that felled all of them but one, with lots of throwing up during the final week of school before the holiday break. My comment to her, sympathy oozing from my very pores, was “keep your rotten germy cooties to yourself” … And when [...]

So, the sun came out, just like I hoped. Which was good, considering I had six bored kids in the living room. So we went to the water park. And played. And had fun. And all was well. Well, let’s back up. Remember when I talked about my hatred for shopping for swimsuits? And how [...]

Let me just say, at the risk of offending anyone who does this on a regular basis, that it bothers me, for some snobby reason, to see people out in their pajama bottoms in public. You know, those fleece pajama pants that everyone wears? Only I don’t understand how someone can pair those pants with [...]

Brayden: “Mom, I found your jacket hanging outside in the garage … why was it in the garage?” Kristie: “Because I went out last night and I was trying to air it out and get the smell out.” Brayden: “Smell? What smell?” {takes a big whiff} “Phew! That stinks, is it smoke?” Kristie: “Well, yeah. [...]

Thursday’s exciting schedule of events: Take kids to school. Pay bills. Lunch with my mom. (Actually, pretty much the highlight of the day because I talked her into going for ice cream afterwards.) Wait for guy at rent house to do trim work on the new floors, who never showed up, which sort of surprises [...]

My old house had a built-in vanity in the bathroom. I am lazy, and I am vain, so I liked very much getting to sit down each morning to apply my makeup and fix my hair in front of a well-lit mirror. This house — does not. So I bought a writing desk to put [...]

… the only thing more neglectful than a mom, abandoning her children to a weekend of grilled cheese sandwiches and too much soda and excessive tv watching** so that she can spend the weekend visiting friends in NYC???? A mom who is home less than 48 hours before leaving again to spend a long weekend [...]