Who’s Kidding Who?

The last task of raising a child is letting them go.

Allowing them to flap their cute little wings and fly… giving them a gentle nudge out of the nest to get them airborne.

OK, sometimes it’s more like a hard shove off a cliff… but then the harder transition from the parent-child to an adult-to-adult relationship must be made.

This process doesn’t happen overnight… CONTINUE  READING >>

The last task of raising a child is letting them go.

Allowing them to flap their cute little wings and fly… giving them a gentle nudge out of the nest to get them airborne.

OK, sometimes it’s more like a hard shove off a cliff… but then the harder transition from the parent-child to an adult-to-adult relationship must be made.

This process doesn’t happen overnight… CONTINUE  READING >>

Graduation A Go-Go

“Graduation speeches were invented largely in the belief that college students should never be released into the world until they have been properly sedated.” – Garry Trudeau

Between our brood of three and my brother’s trio we have six kids within a ten year age span. That used to mean some hilarious… CONTINUE READING >>

“Graduation speeches were invented largely in the belief that college students should never be released into the world until they have been properly sedated.” – Garry Trudeau

Between our brood of three and my brother’s trio we have six kids within a ten year age span. That used to mean some hilarious… CONTINUE READING >>

That Time I was Smote by God

On a blustery New York City morning, I executed my first face plant.

The sun had just peeked out after a torrential rain and began to form those bands of brilliant, glorious Jesus Rays streaming through the clouds.

Next thing I knew, I lay prostrated before a church in that special kind of pain that only landing square on one’s schnozz can bring, surrounded by scattered partyware glistening in the sun like a golden calf.

But I probably deserved it… CONTINUE READING

On a blustery New York City morning, I executed my first face plant.

The sun had just peeked out after a torrential rain and began to form those bands of brilliant, glorious Jesus Rays streaming through the clouds.

Next thing I knew, I lay prostrated before a church in that special kind of pain that only landing square on one’s schnozz can bring, surrounded by scattered partyware glistening in the sun like a golden calf.

But I probably deserved it… CONTINUE READING

How We Stay in Touch With Loved Ones While Traveling

We’re often asked how we stay in touch with our adult kids as we travel.

Yes, our phone conversations with family and friends almost always begin with the question, Where are you guys?

Honestly, in the days before cell phones and the internet, we’re not sure how anyone would have been able to stay connected while leading the lifestyle we’ve chosen… CONTINUE READING >>

We’re often asked how we stay in touch with our adult kids as we travel.

Yes, our phone conversations with family and friends almost always begin with the question, Where are you guys?

Honestly, in the days before cell phones and the internet, we’re not sure how anyone would have been able to stay connected while leading the lifestyle we’ve chosen… CONTINUE READING >>

The Piglet Gets Married – A Perfect Day!

Does having a small, intimate wedding always result in a stress-free day?

From experience, I can say NO!

David and I had a tiny wedding and we had our fair share of anxious moments and hilarious snafus.

Happily, The Piglet and Frenchie … CONTINUE READING >>

Does having a small, intimate wedding always result in a stress-free day?

From experience, I can say NO!

David and I had a tiny wedding and we had our fair share of anxious moments and hilarious snafus.

Happily, The Piglet and Frenchie … CONTINUE READING >>

So I Broke Down and Tried Botox (please don’t judge me!)

I’m a squinter. Always have been. My Grandma used to caution me, “Quit doing that – your face will freeze that way!”

In my twenties, David would affectionately tease me about my “worry line.” He would always know when something was amiss, all he had to do was look between my eyes.

Fast forward thirty (or so) years and, still, I squint on. The squinting’s worst when I’m writing – I don’t even realized I’m doing it.

And Grandma was right, my face… CONTINUE READING >> 

I’m a squinter. Always have been. My Grandma used to caution me, “Quit doing that – your face will freeze that way!”

In my twenties, David would affectionately tease me about my “worry line.” He would always know when something was amiss, all he had to do was look between my eyes.

Fast forward thirty (or so) years and, still, I squint on. The squinting’s worst when I’m writing – I don’t even realized I’m doing it.

And Grandma was right, my face… CONTINUE READING >> 

Why We Call Our Adult Kids “The Spawn” (and how they got their nicknames)

Every once in a great while we receive comments like this:

Please don’t refer to your children as “spawn”. It sounds so disrespectful…

AND

You refer to your daughter as “Piglet”…  How would you like being referred to as “piglet’ or “spawn”?” Have you ever asked her?

I’ve wanted to respond for a while now, but it didn’t feel right before I got my hands on the hilarious evidence behind our nicknaming… CONTINUE READING >>

Every once in a great while we receive comments like this:

Please don’t refer to your children as “spawn”. It sounds so disrespectful…

AND

You refer to your daughter as “Piglet”…  How would you like being referred to as “piglet’ or “spawn”?” Have you ever asked her?

I’ve wanted to respond for a while now, but it didn’t feel right before I got my hands on the hilarious evidence behind our nicknaming… CONTINUE READING >>

The Good and Bad of Losing Control of the Holidays

This year marks a turning point for us.

We’ve fully handed over the Christmas planning process over to our adult daughters, led by The Piglet. We’re in full tell-us-where-and-when-to-show-up mode.

Don’t get us wrong, we feel comfy in The Piglet’s very capable hands, but it is weird. We hardly know what to do with… CONTINUE READING >>

This year marks a turning point for us.

We’ve fully handed over the Christmas planning process over to our adult daughters, led by The Piglet. We’re in full tell-us-where-and-when-to-show-up mode.

Don’t get us wrong, we feel comfy in The Piglet’s very capable hands, but it is weird. We hardly know what to do with… CONTINUE READING >>