It seems to me that life has both a script and a soundtrack. As a general rule, we find that we are moved by certain films because they feel like the home run by the underdog: they knock it out of the park. The crowd goes wild. The stands erupt with cheering fans; strangers hug … Continue reading »
Our family recently teamed up with Colgate and Champions for Kids to help deliver Bright Smiles, Bright Futures to kids in our community. We love the campaign concept, because dental care really is key to a healthy life. Growing up, visiting the dentist regularly was just part of life (along with the torturous braces and … Continue reading »
I used to walk (ok, hustle) to school in Wenatchee, Washington. First, down Orchard Street to Orchard Middle School after we first moved to the U.S. (and after the kids recovered from their shock that I was the new girl from Jamaica and yet my skin didn’t match their mental pictures). Then, from Utah Court … Continue reading »
I love to write, to reflect, and process the life I don’t deserve by just stabbing at it – throwing words up like those creepy, plastic, stretchy cereal toys to see if they stick to the wall and start to migrate. Reality sets in between the exuberant moment when the spider-like creature sticks at the … Continue reading »
When I was in elementary school, we lived in Kingston, Jamaica. We moved back to the United States shortly after my dad was attacked in our garage on the way to work one morning by two men – one wielding a heavy metal pipe and the other a machete. In that impoverished country, it’s pretty … Continue reading »
Read on for a chance to win a $75 home/baby-proofing kit from Safety 1st and Healthy Families! I think I’ve turned into a bit of a preparedness nerd… not a doomsday prepper by any means, but prone to doing things like stocking emergency kits and asking for second floor fire escape ladders for our playroom … Continue reading »
The nine year old is always after me to paint her nails. That moment, where she asks me to do that with her, is going to pass all too soon. We rush and rush through life, with me the consummate mom rushing her, like so: “Well, yes, we can paint your nails. But first, please … Continue reading »
I’ve always been taken with the idea of artists and writers and their muses. There was an article on Arkansas filmmaker Jeff Nichols recently and the manner in which he creates much of his work around one actor’s particular attributes. I like the thought of something being created with that sort of focus… as opposed … Continue reading »
There is a tiny photo in my office in a weathered red wooden frame. It probably seems either unimportant to most, or self-indulgent. To me, it’s one of the most evocative pieces of my past. Look at it, if you like, but let me try to more effectively capture it, if you are interested: Most … Continue reading »
There’s a post up today over at Magpie Marketing on “How to Spark the Entrepreneurial Spirit in your Child.” It’s posted there because it was so relevant for business owners, marketers and professionals, but it was originally written and intended for parents. I find this is a tough thing – I want to raise entrepreneurial … Continue reading »
I was stunned when our oldest daughter, at about the age of five, casually mentioned Hannah Montana. At that time, she was neither spending time at other kids’ houses nor watching TV without me knowing. How did she even come across the character? I didn’t necessarily have anything against Hannah Montana, although I knew with … Continue reading »
When I was a kid, we lived in Jamaica… and yes, it was a phenomenal experience. My Dad has always been intrigued with the cosmos (it’s worth reading the origin of that word, in my opinion), and so I thought it was common during childhood to be pulled from bed in the middle of the … Continue reading »
After my diatribe, I’ve got a great giveaway of Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day products! There was a great letter in today’s paper from Tx Trumbo in Fayetteville that had one of the more positive spins I’ve seen on the editorial page. So many people say they don’t read the paper because they “don’t want to … Continue reading »
When I was young, we lived in Kingston, Jamaica. Words can’t properly convey the true depth of a childhood spent by an American girl in the West Indies. It’s a story for another time… or a book. I attended Immaculate Conception Preparatory School, a private Catholic school where I was most certainly a minority in … Continue reading »
The lithe girl was handed a torch by her father, which seemed poignant and appropriate. It was formerly a substantial silver maple branch downed by a storm, resurrected for noble duty. Stuffed with coco liner remnants from an aging flower basket and wrapped in twine, it was doused in fuel and lit. She reached for … Continue reading »
I like that NPR will often select a contentious title for a story, and they certainly grab my attention and create many of their signature “driveway moments” for those who tune in via radio. As a francophile and someone who gives a great deal of thought to intentional parenting (although often falling very short), I … Continue reading »
Dear all, My, but we obsess. Not to be Pollyanna, but we are unduly harsh, critical and snappy to one another, aren’t we? To those we love most, we offer the least of ourselves. To those we toil with daily, we offer our best. That is to say that our colleagues and customers get our … Continue reading »
I realize I may have inadvertently created some confusion with bloggity hopping around recently. As a general rule, I’m prone to creating confusion (as Plato said, know thyself…), but please allow me to clarify a bit: I’ve kept a food blog (The Food Adventuress) for a while as I explore musings related to that particular … Continue reading »
As I’ve mentioned ad nauseum, I love Practically Green – a sensible, intuitive website with a brief quiz to assess how sustainable you are and where (gasp!) you can improve. So, I’m extra excited to have been asked to guest blog over at the PG blog on eating locally when you eat out (read it … Continue reading »
Tonight, the girls (the almost eight year old and the eight month old – excellent family planning!) and I visited Target for the typical baby purchases: new size 18mos onesies for the “small” one. *Insert audible sigh.* As we departed in the 6:30 p.m. heat of 90+ degrees in June (which, let the records show, … Continue reading »
