We'd been in our first house a little over a year when it came time to stain the deck. This was before YouTube, before you just googled "How to stain a deck" and 22 pages of tutorials showed up. We could've fired up the dial-up modem and hoped that maybe, just maybe, some guy … [Read more...] about Hot for the Handyman
Betwixt and Between
Last week, Elena wrapped up her 5th grade year. It feels like she walked into the doors of her intermediate school last August as a kid and walked out as a teenager. I know for a fact she walked out taller, seeing as how she wore my sandals with a 3-inch wedge heel to school … [Read more...] about Betwixt and Between
The Summer to Savor
When I was in the trenches of parenting babies and toddlers, I didn't understand the allure of summer. When you're in the midst of diapers and midnight feedings and toddler tantrums, June 10 is no different than October 10 or March 10. It's like Groundhog Day, but at least in … [Read more...] about The Summer to Savor
Happy Anniversary, Stranger
We never know whom we marry; we just think we do. Or even if we first marry the right person, just give it awhile and he or she will change. For marriage, being [the enormous thing it is] means we are not the same person after we have entered it. The primary problem is ... … [Read more...] about Happy Anniversary, Stranger
Allow Me to (Power) Point Something Out to You, Dear Parents.
This is most definitely not a cell phone. This is most definitely a problem. For the last week or so, Elena's been acting weird. Or, at least, wierder than usual for your average tween. We're slowly getting accustomed to the mood swings, the tears, the grumbles and grunts. … [Read more...] about Allow Me to (Power) Point Something Out to You, Dear Parents.