I’ve previously encouraged folks to step out and volunteer as a means of not only helping others but also of helping ourselves, and you can read about it here, here and here. We have an intrinsic need to reach out, to help, to serve, to better the lives of those around us, in a way […]
Family Traditions-Small is the new big
September 26, 2011 By 9 Comments
One of the best kept secrets, unfortunately, is that very often the opportunities to develop the most treasured traditions are those we may overlook, as we view them solely as run-of-the-mill, smaller, inexpensive, less memorable moments. Often times, instead, I think we all lean towards the “bigger is better” theory of life, and apply that […]
The Weekly Wild Web Roundup
September 25, 2011 By 1 Comment
Welcome to the first post of an occasional feature I am introducing: The Weekly Wild Web Roundup, through which I share some of the great reads I find. My desire is to provide inspiration, hope, encouragement, how-to, or just plain old good-for-the-soul laughter from the information I highlight. ******************** Kara Chupp, of The Chuppies, wrote […]
Five Minute Friday-Growing
September 23, 2011 By 10 Comments
As we grow up our kids, we grow up ourselves. We begin with the best of intentions, vowing to be the best parents we can possibly be. We will lead them to be good, kind children, full of faith and joy and love. And then, they become toddlers, little mirrors of ourselves, and we […]
Monkeypants girl and a Christmas ornament tradition
September 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Welcome dear readers to the beginnings of discussions about traditions, Christmas, meaningful gifts, and frugality! I wrote about Gifts from the Heart in March when I introduced the Memory Album, and today we continue the conversation with ornaments that are treasured, not because they are innately valuable, but because of what they represent. A few […]
Starting conversations with your kids-Pillow Journals
September 19, 2011 By 16 Comments
How do your conversations go with your school age kids? Let me take a stab at what might pass for a run-of-the-mill give and take between the two of you: How was your day? Ok. What did you do? Nothing. How’s that new class going? <Crickets chirping> Child has exited the building. *Sigh* So how […]
Choose Joy, and living a life that matters
September 16, 2011 By 11 Comments
A warm and friendly sweet chocolate welcome to readers coming over from The Gyspy Mama for Five Minute Friday. I usually participate in the Friday funfest, but knew I would be headed out of town early this morning, so I planned a post. Later, I saw the twitter feed mentioned below, “How do you […]
7 Day Stamina Challenge Wrap up
September 15, 2011 By 4 Comments
Well, well. Wasn’t that an interesting, jam packed full-of-learning week. Anyone who participated in the challenge deserves a pat on the back for stretching those comfort zones so far that we were sure that they might snap us right into next week. Or under the wheels of an oncoming bus. I came away intrigued, in […]
Final Day of the 7 Day Stamina Challenge
September 14, 2011 By 2 Comments
I must admit to being elated when I saw the challenge for Day 7: Eating! Hooray! I love eating. Yes, I know I needed to be the cook, but that was fine. But I get to talk, too. To At With my dear hubbie. Connecting with Keith, over dinner. A wonderful end to the challenge. […]
7 Day Stamina Challenge: Baring your soul on Day 6
September 13, 2011 By 1 Comment
Here we go again, on the roller coaster of growth and change: This isn’t bad. Ok, it’s a little disconcerting. Oh. My. Gosh. I’M GOING TO DIE!!! Whew! Guess not. Let’s do it again! Chug, chug, chug…Where are we? Oh, yes, Day 6: Go public – Tell at least two people about your big, hairy, […]
