Gratitude can be a funny thing. We let it roll glibly off our tongues when life is good: I am so very grateful for this brand new car, my beautiful home, the college graduation/wedding celebration/baby shower with the abundance of amazing gifts. Those are the easy ones because we are happy at our good […]
The parable of the frugal traveler and the coin operated bathroom
May 29, 2012 By 29 Comments
Are you old enough to remember that stores did not always have free public bathrooms? You had to pay to use them, and they didn’t look anywhere near as sleek as this. You have not lived until you and your six siblings who are all under 10 years old are doing the traditional We’ve waited […]
If I’m not ok, will you offer me your loaves and fish?
May 14, 2012 By 18 Comments
Polite society demands that when we run into a friend, we ask how they are doing. Polite society then requires our friend to respond with a short and sweet, and often untrue, answer. What good does that do any of us? If we are not willing to open up and admit our infallibility to say […]
What if I lose my identity?
May 11, 2012 By 19 Comments
Who am I? What is my identity? I can hear the legions of women asking themselves that question as they ponder Lisa-Jo’s weekly prompt over at The Gypsy Mama. I’ll bet that “Mom” tops the list. After all, when you have children, you become a parent. You might still have a job outside the home, […]
The Secret to choosing a Mother’s Day gift that hits the heart
May 7, 2012 By 7 Comments
Tell me if you’ve been here before. You spend a great deal of time, energy, thought, and money to pick out the absolute perfect gift for your mother. Just a note here for husbands: this could equally apply to how you choose the gift for your wife. To keep this simple, however, we will […]
Five ideas to break the unproductive habit of multitasking
April 23, 2012 By 42 Comments
I have a running disagreement with a lovely woman who believes to her core she is extremely capable of accomplishing multiple to-do’s at once. When I suggest slowing down and focusing on one chore at a time, this accomplished dynamo of a retiree laughs and replies there is no reason to do so when she […]
Is your Supermom cape taking you to the breaking point?
April 12, 2012 By 15 Comments
As moms, we often work so hard living up to unrealistic images of perfection from society, our families, our mothers and our own personal DNA. We buy into the culture of being a supermom, even if it just about kills us in the process. Lisa-Jo of the Gypsy Mama wrote an uplifting post about it […]
Five Minute Friday-Empty
March 9, 2012 By 13 Comments
Empty. That word can bring up images of being wrung out and worn out, of having nothing left to give to your family, of gray days and long, dark nights. How about instead, we view it as an opportunity, of a clear and lovely place, delightfully awaiting the Master’s touch? We can imagine ourselves and […]
Where, oh where have my blessings gone?
February 22, 2012 By 12 Comments
Are you or your family suffering from cabin fever, feeling a bit crabby, or just finding it really hard to see the beauty-the blessings-amidst a difficult season? I have some suggestions for you to help bring the fresh and invigorating air of hope and possibility back into your home. Look for the good. […]
Rescuing your marriage by looking back from the future
February 6, 2012 By 19 Comments
I am wading into the deep, dark waters of marriages that are going down for the last time, where the last vestiges of love are drowning in the waves of unmet expectations, hurt, anger and selfishness. I just can’t stand on the sidelines this time shaking my head and saying What a shame. They seemed […]
