Tips for Stealing Your Kids’ Easter Candy

When our kids were little, like most kids, they got too much candy for Easter. Hyperactive little munchkins anyway, right? They’d gobble some, and when they slowed down, we’d put the rest away for later. Usually, there was part or most of the chocolate Easter bunny left over. Into the fridge it goes.

Then, a conscientious parent would do their parental duty to save the child from the obesity epidemic (and a potentially annoying sugar buzz): sneak into the kitchen when the kid is busy watching TV, and snap a piece of that Easter Bunny’s ears right off for a quick snack. As long as you avoid easily identifiable parts and don’t suddenly behead a previously intact bunny torso, nobody’s any the wiser.

Unless you’re like I was, back in my sugar-eating days, and lacking a little in self-control. Continue reading Tips for Stealing Your Kids’ Easter Candy

Conversations with my Honey Series: Controversial (Again)

“I’m afraid I’m writing something controversial again, Honey,” my husband tells me. (It’s been a topic here lately, since sometimes free speech gets ugly. It makes folks uncomfortable, speaking out for principles like free speech as worthy of defense, despite the unworthiness of  ideas expressed. The whole issue bypasses reasoning and heads straight for the gut.)

“Oh yeah?” I’m not especially surprised. He’s always been one to say what he thinks; I treasure honesty.

“Yeah…it’s got something in there for everybody to hate…I don’t go out of my way to be controversial.” He ponders. “It’s just how I think. I have controversial thoughts.” Continue reading Conversations with my Honey Series: Controversial (Again)

Shhh! Don’t Tell ’em About the Grilled Cheese.

As I’m flipping the grilled cheese sandwiches over with my bare hands, I wonder what my daughter would say if she saw me. She did assign Captain Safety to watch me.

“Your Dad wasn’t watching me, so I can do this!” I think to myself and laugh aloud with glee. “Bwahahaaaa!”  Continue reading Shhh! Don’t Tell ’em About the Grilled Cheese.

Dancing in the Mud

I’ve been trying to dance in the mud, all day. Things that should have been easy, quick, or done weren’t. I had to push, be there, focus my wavy energy on target like a laser to make anything happen. As soon as I’d get fine some focus, somebody would come over and slap it right out of my hands like I’d just picked up a poison apple.

It’s okay. But I have so much I need to, want to do–and well. I mean, I don’t just wanna half-ass anything. I’d like to be many things, but mediocre isn’t one of them.

So I’ll just keep dancing, I guess. Just because it’s slower than I’d like it to be doesn’t mean it can’t still be beautiful.

I miss you, Vega…

Vega woke us crying last night, unable to move his back legs. I laid next to him on the floor and comforted him until he quit crying. This morning, I took him to the vet. He was diagnosed with straddle thrombosis and the vet recommended putting him to sleep because of the extremely poor prognosis and painfulness of the condition. We did.  He was 7 years old.

He was the sweetest kitty in the world, and I miss him dearly already. We we very lucky to have him in our lives.

I love you, Vega.

Holy Socks, Sherlock.

New Year’s, I generally eschew resolutions. There’s so often more an excuse to pretend we can solve every problem we have in two and half weeks, or maybe just another opportunity to feel bad about ourselves. It’s usually a better idea to make changes day-to-day, as you see the need. While there’s perhaps some value in the ritualization or symbolic significance of new year/new you thing, still… We’re usually not reasonable or kind with ourselves that way.

But this year, I did make a resolution: I am getting rid of all the holey socks.

Continue reading Holy Socks, Sherlock.

Living Your Dreams: Are You Closer Than You Think?

I’m a huge believer in the power of gratitude. Acknowledging what you have, living in a mentally prosperous space–not always easy, mind you!–and being grateful for the essence of your dreams in your life, even if the physical form hasn’t fully manifested.

If I’m honest with myself, I can readily see that the life I am living right this moment isn’t that far off from the life of my dreams. Continue reading Living Your Dreams: Are You Closer Than You Think?

Valentine’s Day – Love’s in the Little Things

Trick Crockpot

Valentine’s Day–I wanted to exchange my crockpot. What an incurable romantic, huh? So we went out to WalMart to trade the broken-lid one I just bought with an intact version in the bizarre snowing/not-snowing weather. We hit up KFC for our meal, inexpensive but still a treat. And we went home to eat and watch some shows and be together.

My husband and I usually have “non-traditional” holidays. That means we pay attention to what we care about, and not what the world says we should care about. We care about each other. Continue reading Valentine’s Day – Love’s in the Little Things

Long Distance Mothering

My daughter is a long ways away–and going through some stressful times. Nothing she can’t handle, and nothing that’s not pretty much normal for a kid who’s moved out of the house for the time. The kind of stuff every adult has to deal with at some point or another.

I’m talking to my husband at dinner.

“I know she’s going to be okay, but I hate to see her struggle. When she was at home, I could make things easier for her. I can’t do much for her now. I want to make it go away for her…”

“It builds character,” he says matter-of-factly.

“Who’s? Hers or mine?” Continue reading Long Distance Mothering