I am a 51-year-old women standing in my backyard at 1 am whispering loudly, “Good poop! Good poop” in order to encourage the dog I did not want or need to poop in the yard and not my house. I don’t really think he has a clue what “good poop” means but I am trying to teach him. I have high hopes he will finally “get it” after six years of not “getting it.” My nighttime dog ritual takes me back to a 1:00am feeding with my first born, when I heard a strange noise outside and saw flashing yellow Keep Reading...
The Stubborn Stake
A few years ago, we bought a tree and had it planted. Until the tree could establish a root system, it was staked with a heavy duty T-post. For those of you wondering “What’s a T-post?” Well, a T-post is a metal post with a triangular plate at its base that is pointed like an arrow so that it goes in to the ground easily but can’t be pulled out easily. In order to get it out, you have to dig it out. During a drought three years ago, the tree died. Before we knew it, the tree transformed Keep Reading...
Baby Bird, Baby Bird
It’s that time a year when baby bunnies and baby birds are venturing out. Today I was driving through a neighborhood and saw a little bird in the middle of the street flapping its wings. I thought it was hurt until I got closer and realized it was probably just in the middle of flying lessons. I was sure there was a momma bird sitting in a tree overhead chirping out flight instructions. I learned the hard way not to get involved with this procedure. Once, I found a similarly aged little Keep Reading...
Bunny Rescue
A few years ago, my girls were visiting an aunt during Spring Break and I had a few glorious days at home – all alone. I decided to use the time to organize closets and cabinets and create an uber organized sewing center.I was working hard to finish up one night when I realized that our dog, Jessie, had been roaming in the woods for some time. When I went out to call her and yelled "treat," she came running out of the woods and up the hill. She hesitated when she got to the door. Keep Reading...
Tiny Shiny Thing
Do you have one of these in your home? I certainly hope not. Why? Because it is a sin-inducer! A grumble maker. An irritant. This little thing causes me to sin! What is it, you ask? How can that tiny, shiny thing cause me such grief? Well, apparently that tiny, shiny thing makes it nearly impossible for others in my home to replace the paper towels when they run out! If I had a dime for every time I walked into my kitchen and found the paper towel holder covered only by an empty cardboard Keep Reading...
Helping Others Shave Their Legs
I spent a lot of summers with my grandparents when I was growing up. I remember my grandmother telling me that she no longer had to shave her legs or armpits! As a thirteen year old who had hair that seemed to grow night and day, I was amazed. What do you mean? She explained that when you get old (now I know she was referring to menopause), your hair doesn’t grow like it does when you are going through puberty. Awesome! I couldn’t wait for that day. I thought God was pretty smart to Keep Reading...
The Tepid Tub
I have a dear friend who is the mother of four children. One of her teenagers is a son - the only son - and he has a fondness for long, steaming hot showers. Even before he gets in the shower, he likes the bathroom to resemble a sauna. In order to turn his plain bathroom into a sauna to rival that of any fine, luxury spa, he turns the hot water on full blast. Once the steam is seeping out from under the door, he commences his near scalding shower. And this is not an abbreviated shower. Keep Reading...
Roots
There used to be a house on one of the busiest streets in my town. It was a modest, one story house. A house where two people raised three children. When the children were grown and the street became too busy, the couple sold the house and the lot it was on and moved to a quieter neighborhood. I didn’t meet the couple until they had moved into the new house but when my husband and I passed the old house, he pointed it out and said, “That’s where Hugo and Alice used to live.” A few days Keep Reading...
Mr. Magoo
Pio came into my family’s life when he befriended my brother while they were in medical school. He grew up in the Philippines but came to America to go to medical school and since his family was so far away, our family took him in as one of our own – including him in our family celebrations and holidays. Before I tell you a story about Pio, I need to let you know that everyone was okay. So feel free to chuckle as you envision the scene… Pio was driving his car down a highway and saw a car Keep Reading...
Freedom – from the sock basket
Yesterday was “Pile Day” at my house. The day dedicated to going through all of the piles that have piled up due to schedules piled upon schedules. One of the piles I slayed was the sock pile. It really wasn’t a pile of socks. It was more like a big basket where socks got piled. And piled and piled! When you have three girls (especially if two of them are dancers), then you probably have sock issues. We have sock issues! The sock issues started when the two oldest girls were little. One Keep Reading...