Toys R Us Brings Back the Memories by Sharon O’Donnell
December 24th, 2017
My three sons are ages 26, 23, and 17. I've spent many Christmases buying Power Ranger toys, video games, and Red Sox merchandise, particularly if the Sox won a championship as they did in '04, '07, and '13. I spent much time at the local Toys 'R' Us, roaming the ...
One Foot in Front of the Other by Sharon O’Donnell
December 25th, 2016
It's been a long time since I have blogged, but I thank Robin for keeping me around so that I can still express things here. Growing up in Raleigh, NC in the 1960s and ‘70s, I have many memories of hot summer days at the outdoor Pullen Park pool, feeding peanuts ...
It’s Not About the Decorating by Sharon O’Donnell
January 2nd, 2016
This was a very hectic time this year right before the holidays with some family sicknesses, the death of a family friend, the birth of a great niece, and some traveling. My youngest son was also wrapping up his first semester of high school, a very demanding feat. Before I ...
What Christmas Was Like Because My Mom Worked by Pamela Francis
December 3rd, 2015
Each year about this time the radio station I listen to -- online (I wouldn't touch regular radio with a ten-foot pre-lit LED Douglas fir) -- has folks like the late Dr. Wayne Dyer and other notables from the "new thought ancient wisdom" community recounting their favorite holiday memories from ...
UncommonGoods Holiday Gifts and Giveaway by Robin Gorman Newman
December 9th, 2014
I recently learned of the website UncommonGoods, and am excited to share my cool discoveries with you. Especially at this time of the year, when you are likely on the lookout for unique gifts for those on your list, it's such a relief, so to speak, when you find the perfect ...
CRAFTY CARA: Crazy About Rainbow Loom! by Cara Potapshyn Meyers
January 8th, 2014
Okay. I’m a craft nut. I dabble in all sorts of craft type activities and subscribe to craft and do-it-yourself magazines. I love to spot something interesting and take it a step further. Embellish it. Hike it up a notch. Or learn something completely new. In the midst of trying ...
A Christmas for the Cats by Margaret Hart
December 29th, 2013
For the first time in more than 10 years, my husband, son and I — and our two rambunctious Ragdoll cats — were on our own for Christmas. A terrible ice storm in Maine, causing widespread power outages, prevented my parents and sister from being able to drive down to ...
Graduations, Holidays, & Surgeries – Oh My by Sharon O’Donnell
December 28th, 2013
Holiday break came none too soon for me this year. I feel like a train pulling into the station after a long journey. When I went back to work full-time in September, I realized that it would be time-consuming and schedule-changing. I'm still glad ...
Hers and Mine by Conlee Ricketts
December 23rd, 2013
I recently confessed to a friend that for the first nine years or so of my daughter’s life I would have to take some time to go off and cry every Christmas. I cried because I felt like I didn’t provide a “magical enough” Christmas. It took me a lot ...
Adventures in Attachment Parenting: Home For The Holidays by Allison Silver
December 12th, 2013
For the past two weeks we were in Albuquerque visiting my family for Thanksgiving. We typically try to visit them around Christmas but this year we got such a great deal on airfare for Thanksgiving that we couldn't pass it up. However, the catch was that we had to stay ...
