In the hopes of sharing things “outside of my bubble,” I’m posting what I wrote yesterday on Facebook right here. Not because my voice is so terribly important and not because I have a pressing need to make the various crises in the world about my particular path, but because vigilance against injustice ain’t really a pick n’ choose kind of thing. Plus, speaking up paves the way for real, actualized results. Like the hate-filled Daily Stormer website having its {Read More}
Summer wins & fails- so far
July 20, 2017 By 1 Comment
Chicago Public School kids are officially done with their first month of summer vacation- and it was a looong time in the making. (Looking at you, everyone else who was frolicking in sprinklers by, like, May 12th.) I’m usually pretty hard on myself in terms of idealizing summer and then smacking that right up against Actual, Humans With Children Summer. But once we got the kitchen up and running again and all three children firmly home, it seemed…easier, somehow, to {Read More}
Two goodbyes, entirely too soon.
July 13, 2017 By 2 Comments
There’s no easy loss, and there’s never a “good” time to say goodbye to a loved one. That said, this week we’re saying goodbye to two souls who were intricate parts of my sisters’ and my childhoods, and who each brought something special to their families, to their loved ones, and to everyone lucky enough to meet them: They each created joy. Steve Dennis was one of my Dad’s bandmates for many years, and a housemate/soul brother, at that. As kids, my sisters {Read More}
Taking a Mama break with Netflix and the #StreamTeam
July 11, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Disclosure: As a member of Netflix’s Stream Team, I bring tips and tricks and more streaming know-how than a raging river. (Or at least a comparable level.) Although I’m compensated, all thoughts, opinions, and ‘Trolls’ earworms are entirely my own. *** Here’s a gigantic news flash for anyone who’s been a parent longer than one commercial break: Parents need time to themselves and- if you’ll pardon the momentary gender bias- mamas need time to themselves (and sometimes sneak it in {Read More}
Kitchen, bathroom & deck renovation REVEAL!
July 6, 2017 By 2 Comments
So, what do we have to show for three weeks of work, zero access to a working kitchen, and one humongo sleepover for the last part of the school year? This: (Can we get a close-up on that sexy new door?) And this: And- oh- this: Plus, here’s my new favorite bathroom: And a porch so marvy it looks like it’s always been there: It’s enough to make my heart swell. (And ache a little bit, knowing my Dad would’ve flipped for {Read More}
Taking a rest…
June 29, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Taking a rest… …for the rest of the week. Love you, Me
A summer faves roundup- and a giveaway!
June 27, 2017 By 3 Comments
Disclosure: These companies and products are better than the last hour of the last day of school. Although I’ve been compensated, all thoughts, opinions, and dreams of endless summer are entirely my own. Okay- the days are blissfully warm, bedtimes are nonexistent, and the kids are finally out of school. Happy summer! Ready to hear about my new favorite goodies? (I knew you would be.) Plywerk I’ve gotten into the really, really good habit lately of printing, framing, and displaying {Read More}
Anger, fear, hope…and meat allergy ticks
June 22, 2017 By 2 Comments
Hoo boy, this week. (If I’m being honest- this year.) I’m having an increasingly hard time living in the reality of the Actual World and its increasingly terrible headlines. The Philando Castile verdict. (But nope, not about race.) The 17 year-old Muslim girl killed in Virginia. (But nope, not a hate crime.) And God, even when I try to take a breather and keep it “lighter?” There’s the Larsen C crack in Antarctica (hope you like your sea levels a {Read More}
