Blessed Annoyance
Toddlers and Movies Don't Always Mix
Yes, I know you have a giant flat panel digital TV with surround sound ... | 0 comments ›› more ...
Blog
Save our Economy: Surrender the Sidewalk Chalk!
My Homeowner’s Association, or at least its Board, has solved the mystery to the housing debacle. You and I, like many other simpletons, may have swallowed the story about easy credit and investors snatching up houses like Kmart blue-light specials as being the key factors in ... | 1 comment ›› more ...
Going Fluorescent
My husband has gone fluorescent. In light of the current energy crunch, you will undoubtedly be pleased, until you realize that I use “fluorescent” here as a synonym for “ballistic” or “postal.” (My apologies to our friendly letter carriers and the nice people at our Post ... | 0 comments ›› more ...
Justice in the end: Rump finally pulls the long straw
Have you noticed the trend towards making fairy tales politically correct? The alterations can be minor, such as this: Little Red Riding Hood now takes tea instead of wine to her grandmother. Or, they can be entirely plot-altering in nature: the Big Bad ... | 0 comments ›› more ...
What's Hidden in the Easter Basket?
Though I grew up in the US, I never understood that Easter had any religious significance whatsoever. It was just a holiday from school, after which the other students mysteriously returned with crisp new outfits, frilly dresses, and shining shoes. ›› more ...
New Year’s and germ warfare: The science behind it all
Youngsters attract germs faster than politicians can attract lobbyists and campaign dollars. | 0 comments ›› more ...
Peace on Earth, and even in the home
Last summer, my boys were not speaking to each other, and that was great, because that’s exactly the way I had wanted it. At the time, it seemed the only way to ensure domestic tranquility. Whenever temperatures would flare, so would their ... | 0 comments ›› more ...
The Dwarf is from Mars, the Cottontail from Venus
“Oh, another girl? It’s too bad...” her voice trailed off. “But don’t worry, maybe your next one will be a boy.” Yes, I just survived childbirth a few days ago. Let’s talk to a veritable stranger about having the next baby. | 1 comment ›› more ...
Eagle and Stuffing on Givingthanks Day
If you thought eating Thanksgiving leftovers was bad, you should try reading them. I have never yet been shopping on Black Friday because, if I wanted to be trampled for a cheap DVD player, I would just ask for a ticket home and try to board ... | 0 comments ›› more ...
On your mark, get pets, GO!
This summer, when my second daughter had eight minutes free and nothing to do with them, she got her latest and most amazing idea. Her black-and-tan miniature dachshund, (which, in my opinion is somewhat ignored and occasionally neglected), apparently needs a little four-legged companion. I’m thinking, ... | 0 comments ›› more ...
Why I Hate Halloween
It’s not the skeletons that disturb me. Nor is it the underlying ancient celebration of evil. It’s just the amount of candy I, as a loving and caring parent, am annually compelled to eat. | 0 comments ›› more ...
The Virtues of the Lying Parent
You’re a good parent, right? You don’t have a criminal record. You teach your kids the right values: not to point at people, no matter how ridiculous they might look with their hair died pink and purple. You tell them never ... | 0 comments ›› more ...
Grocery Store Grumbles
I was getting groceries the other day. With six kids at home, getting groceries is about all that I ever seem to do. I’m no Rachael Ray, yet my world revolves around food and its acquisition. The meals need to be planned, the food retrieved and revived (if necessary), cooked, ... | 3 comments ›› more ...
Learning the Lingo of Little Ones
He went on and on, demanding baking soda. What on earth could a two-year-old want with baking soda? | 0 comments ›› more ...
The Big Sigh - Summer is Over
If I had had any sense, I would have been like normal moms who are relieved that school has started. I would have planned mid-morning solo shopping excursions or a “coffee with the girls” celebration as we all exchanged the Big Sigh that marks our emergence ... | 0 comments ›› more ...
The Perils of Potty-Training
With brilliant foresight, our youngest and eldest children were born nearly fifteen years apart. Many people congratulate us on timing things so that the babysitters are built-in. But this timing also necessitates teaching the one to drive while training the other how to use the toilet. Stop being silly. You ... | 0 comments ›› more ...