Wow. I am nearly speechless, which you know is a rare occurrence for me. When I wrote the post last week about what I thought was my love for home renovation shows - especially one based in Laurel, Mississippi - I had no idea what havoc it would wreak. Let me be crystal clear up front: [...]
I have some big news and you are the first to find out. I haven’t even broken it to Mike, the boys, or the CVC. They’re all going to be so surprised. I’m moving to Laurel, Mississippi. I know, it’s going to be quite a culture shock. I’ve really spent no time at all in [...]
It’s the end of a decade. Isn’t that amazing? I am not in the camp that says 2021 is actually the beginning of another decade so don’t lecture me. I prefer the round numbers of 10 and 20. In 2020, Mike and I will have been married for 20 years. Nick will celebrate his 15th [...]
I’ve written past columns about civility, divisiveness, throwing babies out with bathwater, and the pure vitriol being spewed about all things political. On this weekend before Thanksgiving, I decided the time was right to offer some strategies to possibly save family unity, preserve everyone’s sanity, keep the gravy from curdling, and the food from flying. [...]
Dear Readers, today’s Word of the Day is unique. Or as my mom would pronounce it, you-nih-kew. Unique, no matter how you choose to pronounce it, is defined as being the only one of its kind, not like anything else. We all have that relative who can only be described as unique (looking at you, [...]
From my earliest memories, I’ve wanted to read. At a very young age, I remember standing with my mom at Mass and trying to equate the words everyone was speaking around me with the words printed in the missalette. Dick and Jane books were my first triumphs and from there I was off and running. [...]
When you attempt to describe a person, adjectives usually come easily. Take me for example. (I’m sure my family often wishes you would.) I have been described as enthusiastic, loud, happy, and loud. Shy and withdrawn will seldom be words used to illustrate me, nor will quiet. However, the quality I am Least Likely to [...]
Hello, everyone! I’m just back from a riotous time in Huron, South Dakota, at the National Junior High Finals Rodeo. That weeklong road trip was preceded by the statewide nonprofit conference, Collective Voices. The week before that was filled with 33 graduated eight graders at CampFIRE, the CVC’s youth leadership camp at YMCA of the [...]
Please help me out here. I’m having anxiety and need coping skills. It’s now June. June is my favorite month of the entire year. Both boys’ birthdays (two cakes!), warm weather, everything florescent green outside, and exuberant birdsong are hallmarks of June. Adorable goslings, bunnies, ducklings, and fawns abound. I exhibit misplaced optimism about the [...]
My, how time flies. I just returned from a trip home and was stunned that it’s been nearly 14 months since my dad had his stroke. After spending some time marveling over what seems like a miraculous recovery, I thought more about time and its elasticity. It’s been over seven years since my mom died. [...]
