Many years ago, before the addition of the children, I was the type of person who always sent birthday cards, thank-you notes, and new-baby gifts. Today, I'm lucky if people get a "Happy B-day!" from me on Facebook. My grandmother would probably be rolling over in her grave (were she not cremated). She was the [...]

I've lost one of my best friends.She didn't die. She didn't move away. She didn't stop speaking to me because I stepped over the line about her kids, husband, mother, dog, weight, hair, housekeeping, or political opinions. No.She went back to work.Technically speaking, I'm a stay-at-home mom. I worked liked a dog volunteering for the [...]

The other day, while driving the kids to school, I noticed something odd. I was, for lack of a better word, "happy." This probably sounds terrible to people who either 1) walk around believing they're happy when they're probably just content, or 2) believe you should be happy all or most of the time and [...]

I went to my friend's house yesterday, for her twin daughters' birthday party, and I relaxed at an event for the first time in I don't even know how long. I've been in a sort of "birthday party hell" for the last couple of months. The kids have been invited to all of the places [...]

Yes. Christmas. If you've lost a loved one, you have to "make it" through two big things: the funeral and the holidays. The former is like a party you've worked really hard to plan at a church you don't attend with all of your best friends who are crying their eyes out. This is all [...]

I miss my mom.It's three days before Christmas, and I miss my mom. Up until this point, I've been holding things together pretty well. Especially considering it's been a crazy time for everyone, what with only three weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I've stayed on top of the gift-buying and the card-printing and the party-going [...]

I would've been a really, really bad pioneer. We had a big storm yesterday that snowed us in. Not a huge deal, apart from being cooped up with the kids for another day after what can only be described as a difficult weekend. But then half of our heat went out (our house needs two [...]

As I've mentioned before, ever since we changed schools, Elfie periodically asks me if I've made any new friends. She, incidentally, seems to be developing what sounds like a production of "The Real World -- Kindergarten Edition." There's the boy she's in love with and now apparently kisses. There are the mean girls who tease [...]

A friend of mine died a few days ago. I know. As another friend says, I've had a rough year. What really sucks (because sucks is the only word to use for this) is that he was one of the good ones. Not just in a "He was a loyal friend, loving husband, dedicated community [...]