As a member of Netflix’s #StreamTeam, I’m the lucky bearer of awesome, newly curated Netflix content which, I’m pretty sure, will make you (and your eyes) as happy as it’s made me (and my eyes). This month’s theme is bringing back Friday as a family movie night. Whaaaat? LOVE. *** If you’re like me- and I know for a fact that you are- then you’ve got a bajillion things to do, never enough time to complete it all, and a {Read More}
Maudlin Monday?
September 15, 2014 By 11 Comments
Here’s the thing. Even when life is pretty rotten (and it so often is), it’s also incredibly wonderful (and so often is). This past weekend, my dear friend Alison (of Writing, Wishing) had her twins about six weeks early. They’re in the NICU but doing well, and for that I’m wildly grateful. Also this past weekend? P.J. and I took our kids apple picking. Now I ask you- even when life is at its toughest, how truly bad can things {Read More}
Susannah’s First Day. An Apology.
September 11, 2014 By 11 Comments
The other morning- Tuesday, to be exact- Susannah started preschool. Now, as you’ll recall from the gazillion and twenty posts I wrote (and read) leading up to Nora’s first day of preschool back in 2012- I think preschool’s a really big deal (for the parents). Itty bitty Nora and I had chosen multiple outfits and talked her imminent daily routine to death before her first TWO AND A HALF HOURS away from me (for the very first time, ever). You {Read More}
RoundUp: Columns & Festivals & I’m On Stage!
September 10, 2014 By 2 Comments
September is scooting right along! And I’ve had to pee since August! Here’s some stuff I wrote when I wasn’t shuttling my children around like a one-woman Greyhound bus: I am an autumnal failure. Here’s why, via my 101.9FM Moms in the Mix column. Over at Chicago Parent, I wrote the most important thing for my kid to read ever, ever. (Until she hits another milestone and I subsequently fall apart even more.) Did you happen to see the project {Read More}
Swimming For Realsies At Goldfish Swim School.
September 9, 2014 By 2 Comments
Disclaimer: As an ambassador for Goldfish Swim School, I’m oh-so happy to regale you with the gals’ experiences for all things aquatic…and give you the down low on this snazzy joint. While our lessons have been comped, I receive no other compensation and my opinions are super strictly my own. But you probably already knew that. *** I am good at many things. I am really, really bad at so, so, so many more things. Like, abysmally bad. Embarrassingly bad. {Read More}
Grateful. But Not In Meme Form, No Sir.
September 8, 2014 By 3 Comments
I was recently tagged in one of those Grateful meme thingies on Facebook by one of my favorite (and way-backiest) friends and, while I don’t generally participate in those for just anyone, I’m gonna make an exception for the gal who met me on the first day of sixth grade. While I was clad in a floral jumpsuit. And she still decided to sit with me. Because that’s a friend, people. (Hi, Lori!) But because I’m just enough of a {Read More}
Crazy Easy Chalkboard Frame Gallery, AKA How To Make Your Spouse Cry.
September 4, 2014 By 19 Comments
I know what you’re thinking. “Keely,” you seem to say. “Don’t you spend an awful lot of your day convincing your children to not draw on the walls?” Why yes. That’s the truth. But here’s another truth: All bets are off once Mama has a DIY project in her mind and a can of spray paint in her hand. Let’s begin. Who doesn’t love a good funky chalkboard? Besides dustphobes, clutter-haters, and those averse to the potential for nail on {Read More}
A Winner for Expecting: A Year Of Fixing Up And Breaking Down, And A Farewell To Fall.
September 3, 2014 By 6 Comments
First things first… I’m thrilled to announce the winner of last week’s giveaway for Expecting: A Year of Fixing Up and Breaking Down, now available on Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and in that fancy ol’ paperback form. Drumroll…(pencil tap)… Kerry C! Congrats, enjoy, and may it act as a talisman against future homeownerly problems. *** Now. Fall schmall. Here’s proof that the fam is hanging onto the last of summer with their fingernails and teeth and sandy little toes. P.J. grew {Read More}
