Do you have  a special piece of clothing that you cherish? I have this shirt that I just love. It’s big and comfy and goes great with jeans and tights. I’ve enjoyed wearing it for number of years, but yesterday when I put it on, I realized that it had seen better days. Wearing it … Continue reading Fabric Store Fail!

On Friday, I had my first experience at a metal scrap yard. Last weekend, Cole and I cleaned out the garage and started to sort the boxes and boxes and boxes and boxes and boxes of miscellaneous nails, screws, nuts, bolts and washers—the metal remnants of over 50 years of garage projects by Joe and … Continue reading Scrap Metal Peddler at Your Service!

Cole has been a big help while I've felt poorly.....taking care of our pups and campers, finding ways to amuse himself. . . and amuse me!  (nowhere in the directions, is it written, EAT CERAL FIRST) ♥

The Orkin man came to solve our mouse problem. He arrived on time wearing all white, so I knew he was one of the good guys. But he did not have a large bug atop his vehicle, which was a bit disappointing because I wanted all the neighbors to know I was on top of … Continue reading Orkin Man Arrives! Mice Begone! Lady Labeled Odd

Cole has been feeling under the weather this week, so he has stayed close to home and had tea and lots of sympathy. The other day as the dinner hour approached, I asked my ailing son what he would like for dinner. I was open to all suggestions that would taste good to him. I’m … Continue reading Ice Cream for Dinner: Fail

My kid is playing soccer on his school team. He has about 11 years of soccer experience. He understands the game, has excellent footwork, and can put the ball where it needs to be with accuracy. Our High School struggles with sports. It’s a small high school, and putting together enough players for team sports … Continue reading Soccer Mom Angst

As promised a  bat story... Cole was dreading the transition from summer vacation back to school, while I was dealing with unexpected expenses, writing checks for school tuition, and feeling sad and weary. During transitional times, Cole and I miss Joe more than usual. Cole misses him because, in his words, “Dad always seems more … Continue reading A Cosmic Wink: The Whole Bat Story!

Sometimes I’m a little evil. Un poco mal. I bet you didn’t know I could speak Spanish, did you? Well, I can’t, but I can Google Translate fluently in over 60 languages. So how am I un poco mal? I thought you would never ask. Yesterday was Cole’s first day of school, and it would … Continue reading Covert Back to School Plan: Hint-It doesn’t involve homework!

That was then... A few weeks ago, I went out for a birthday dinner with some dear friends. We went back to a place that we had celebrated the first communion of their daughter years earlier and I remembered snapping this picture of the boys at the bar... I love this picture. I decided after … Continue reading The Whole Picture: That was Then ~ This is Now