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 ...
Stumbling Through Midlife Without The Right Shoes by Melissa Swedoski
December 10th, 2013
Lately I've been pondering this conundrum of midlife parenting, because not only do I have two toddler girls just beginning their journey, but I have a 72-year-old father who just started a new job. Just goes to show that whatever you think is going to happen, never happens quite that ...
Remembering the Spirit of Thankfulness by Melissa Swedoski
November 26th, 2013
It's easy sometimes to forget the little things, that's a given. We get hurried and rushed around and forget to be grateful for simple things like running water, hot water, clean water. Or things like picking up a gallon of milk just because we want to, not because it's our ...
What Was She Thinking? by Conlee Ricketts
November 25th, 2013
I enjoy finding the silver linings. You might call me a cautious optimist, but as I write this I am fully expecting to be here in Columbus missing Thanksgiving with my father, brother, his wife, one of my nieces and her husband. I had planned on being there for the ...
A Wife, Mother and Now, a Brand by Melissa Swedoski
November 12th, 2013
Can you effectively juggle all the things you have going in your life? I'm not even talking about balance, because as someone recently pointed out to me, there is no such thing. When you are with your kids, your work life is out of balance. When you're at work, your ...
5th Grade Science by Conlee Ricketts
November 11th, 2013
My daughter had to participate in an “Egg Drop” again for science class this year. Last year she had to create something to keep her egg safe from a two story drop. She had to work on her own, at home, and using any supplies she wanted. This year, at ...
Oh Mother, it’s a Meltdown – by Melissa Swedoski
October 29th, 2013
The thing about a meltdown is that frequently you don't realize you're having one until halfway through it, and by then, you're well and truly invested in it, and you can't just quit. After all that effort and rage or craziness, well, you just have to finish what you started, ...
My Halloween Growing Pains by Conlee Ricketts
September 30th, 2013
In thirty days the energy in our house is going to be ALL Halloween! It’s my daughter’s favorite holiday. She spends weeks pondering what she will “be”. In fact our house is usually decorated by mid September. Not this year. I am wondering what’s going on?? When she was younger she ...
Peace of Mind from Good Weather Days by Melissa Swedoski
September 17th, 2013
It's a funny thing about the weather. It can make you feel upbeat and cheerful when the sun is shining just right and the wind is gently blowing, and it's not too hot, not too cold. It can make you feel miserable inside and out when it's cold, wet, gray ...
Could This Life Get Any Funnier? by Melissa Swedoski
September 3rd, 2013
As you roll along this mortal coil, does it ever seem like someone is having a good laugh at your expense? You think you've got it all going on, all that and a bag of chips, and then, just to keep you humble, something ridiculous happens to remind you, "don't ...
