Happy (almost) New Year! 2008 brought many things to my life.  It was a full year.  And I definitely learned some things… 1.  That the baby in my belly last year at this time would be a BOY!  My Henry! 2.  That Alexander would adapt to preschool. 3.  And be potty trained. 4.  That losing my Nana would be more [...]

I love the last day of the year… I love the defined “end”… making way for a much defined “New.” I love traditions and celebrations and symbolic meanings. Today I’ve baked cakes and cornbread. I hid a coin in the cake for some lucky guest to discover it… a promise of a bountiful year in the tradition of the miracle [...]

I have a brand new vision for 2009… And I’m telling you – I don’t know how I’ve gone this long without it… You know when the doctor tells you – “You would probably fail the eye exam at the DMV right now…” that you have problems. So I’m starting off 2009 with a brand new vision – I CAN [...]

Tonight I will write a list. I will title it Things To Do in 2009. They won’t be resolutions, per se, but rather things I want to accomplish within the next year. Because as fast as the years seem to fly by, there’s a lot – big and small – one can do in 365 days. Among my “Things” to [...]

I test drove Chevy’s Traverse earlier this month. As soon as the Traverse pulled up in front of my house… I knew I liked it. The look of it had me at “Hello… !” But… would it be a good vehicle for my family? You tell me. Thanks, Chevy! I had a blast driving the Traverse!

As you all know, there is no such thing as a coincidence, and all things are serendipitously connected. This goes for Pogo-Sticking, too. Here’s the story.  A couple of weeks ago, my very wonderful friend, Erin at School Teacher by Day, Superhero by Night, asked her readers what hidden talents they have.  I didn’t have to think long… and I answered that [...]

Ever since I can remember, this week in December I do the same thing. I start getting ready for the New Year. I always get excited for a New Year. As hokey and pokey as it sounds, it is a NEW YEAR. A new time. A new beginning. A new start. A fresh start. I always feel fearless January 1st. [...]

I did something yesterday that I haven’t done in YEARS… and it was oh, so wonderful! Ice skate. And what made it “exceptionally” and “extraordinarily” fun (words used by my beautiful little granddaughters to describe it) was that I ice skated with them… Taylor and Maddie. It started with an idea for a Christmas gift. Barry and I had been [...]

In NO particular order: 1. Never make cookies a week before Christmas. Half of them were gone by Christmas Eve… and I know exactly who ate them (me, myself and I). 2. Never make Portuguese Rice Pudding without a recipe. This year we honored my Nana (who passed away in August) by each bringing one of her dishes to Christmas [...]

It’s very quiet in my home this morning.  By now, Audrey and Jane and at least 2 little boys and 2 doggies are usually here.   The coffee pot is filled with its second round.  The Twitter bell is tinkling away. Not this morning.  Audrey is spending time with her little guys in their little Santa land.  And her in-laws are [...]