What is sibling rivalry? It’s jealousy, competition and fighting that occurs between brothers and sisters. But when you think about it, you’ll notice that jealousy, competition and fighting is not unique to siblings. Rivalry occurs …
Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day can be an uncomfortable day if your child attends school or other groups where Valentine’s messages are exchanged. Even as an adult, we’re bombarded with advertising that tells us what we should expect …
Preventing Dementia
In November of 2017, my mother was hospitalized for a urinary tract infection and the medications prescribed to combat the infection accelerated her dementia, and she is now living full time in an assisted living …
Before and After
‘Before and After’ pictures…does anyone else get a kick out of them? What is it that is so captivating? Perhaps it’s the mini ‘rags to riches’ story the pictures tell, perhaps it’s the solution to …
My Most Memorable Valentines’ Day
Many might think that the Bright Cherry Red SUV Tom bought me for Valentines’ Day in 2012 would be the most memorable celebration of the Day. But that would not be so. The most memorable …
A Kitchen Disaster
It was the anniversary of when my mother-in-law came to live with us. When reminded of the fact, she said, “Do you feel as good about it as I do?” To which, of course, the …
Use Your Talent Now
At the beginning of the Iraq war Floyd Lee, a retired Marine Corp and Army cook, took charge of the Pegasus mess hall near the Baghdad Airport. And although the mess hall served up the …
Kids and Furniture
Years ago, my in-laws had a very unique coffee table in front of their sofa. It had been fashioned by their son who had worked construction, building custom homes in a resort town. When one …
A Wardrobe and an Attitude
I had a same age, family acquaintance when I was growing up who always wore her worn out jeans and T-shirts. Her closet was stuffed full with clothes and in complete disarray. It turns out …
A Happy Home and a Stylish House
When Tom and I were first married, our collection of furniture was very limited. We had a plaid sofa…earth tones: green, gold, orange and brown. Not something I ever would have chosen, but we had …
On Toilet Training
As in all child raising activities you’ll hear lots of stuff and nonsense about what to do, what not to do, what’s right, what’s not, who’s easier to train: boys or girls, etc. You’ll do …
“I hate positive action!”
Lessons from Second Grade It had been a long day in the second grade classroom of the underprivileged school where I had been the substitute teacher that day. As we were in a scramble to …