Our trip to Nebraska is full of nostalgia, memories and memories being made. There’ll be more to write (and paint) later, but for now, this gem. Charlie: “Pioneer Village is the BESTEST thing I’ve done in my entire life!…

“Here, take these underwear, they are too big for me.” “Are you saying I’m fatter than you?” “No, I just know they are too big for me.” Lifts up enormous granny panties (or as she used to call them, nipple huggers). Paulie could wash the car with them. “Mom! I don’t even wear these kind…

It’s time again for the annual “What are you grateful for” proclamation. Like New Years resolutions, I don’t get it. I’m grateful every day for friends and family and all the little things, like ziplock baggies, that make my life good. In times like these I’m also, depending on the day (and wifi connection), grateful…

Yesterday I cleaned and organized the playroom so that Viv and Charlie can now share it. I put all of Viv’s sealed “specimen” jars in a row on the shelf. This morning, all those jars are now empty and set on the table as glasses, being used for “school breakfast”. Ok, so where are all…

It’s been a difficult time, this new world we live in. Trump has unleashed the worst in people, and yet, no one at work mentions any of it. On social media and the news, the world is on fire. At the office, everything is hunky dorey. I’ve had one customer mention it, by round-about comment…

A friend once shared with me that though she knew she would love her child, she didn't realize how much FUN she would have raising him. When the hair dresser patiently listens to another kid story, or I look blankly at a coworker when they ask if I've been to the newest restaurant "yet", I…

The roads got more and more narrow as we made our way through the Ohio country side in search of the Interrstate. As we came over a hill, clumps of small children walking along the roadside came in to sight through the fog. Small, umbrella-ed Amish children on their way to school. On the crowded…

I miss Miss Ruby. She was my buddy for road trips, grand adventures and grocery runs for more than twelve years. Savannah, France, Portland and Milwaukee. Sunny sidewalk cafes, huge coastal cliffs, drizzly west coast streets, vast Midwest cornfields, woody campgrounds… Ruby was always with me. This past year she was fading and uncomfortable; I'm…

Papa quote of the week: “I’m tired of not having any balls in this house”     Posted with Blogsy

I’ve spoiled Viv with our travels. She has taken to it like a duck to water. Or like a toddler to a feather bed. Her love of travel extends to dining. At breakfast, she ordered her own eggs and bacon. Imagine squeaky voice, serious little face: “Eggs”. “And bacon”. When I neglected to bring her…