We are in spiral down mode. Life as it could be, as it should be, has disintegrated to become life as we now know it: disastrous. Another typical supper hour at the Gard household. One child has exercised her right to blow out her vocal chords at the ripe old age of five. They should …
There are moments upon moments when I feel pulled in ten different directions and the elastic band that holds my soul, snaps. And when that happens, I just have to laugh at myself. Soul exposed. Transparency at its very best. Or worst. I am making beds. At 9:15 p.m., to be precise. What is the …
First day of school bloopers: I got called Mrs. Wood (which ran a close second to “what’s your name again???”) all day. I think it was the “smell ya later” that the infamous D.W. (our vivacious former Vice-principal) said on her way out the kindergarten door, that really stuck with them. As I was on …
Just now, I laughed. Loud and hard, like a free-spirited little kid. And it felt good to laugh! I don’t know whether or not it was the first time today that I let out a bellow. I honestly can’t remember. I was too preoccupied all day long worrying about changes Autumn brings with it, along …
Sitting on a rickety wooden rail beside a sea of balls, one gets to see life as it is really lived out. It is a vantage point like no other, really. One must sit as quiet as a bird on a limb so as not to miss a thing. For conversations like these are quick …
The moon is high over head, and the picnic table is illuminated by a citronella candle in lieu of the campfire we are without. Forest fires have been spreading across other parts of the country, and the intense outside temperatures heating the air are such tonight that even a flicker of flame caught on a …
The things we do for love. This past week, I have been more aware of how we who are parents change while we are on vacation- we become even better people than hopefully we already are. Not a real coincidence that all this happens while parents are on vacation from the real world. But, it …
A dear ‘stay-at-home mama’ friend of mine wrote her Facebook status today on ‘being present’. She briefly addressed the fact that she is with her children daily, but she is not always present with them. In this update, she vowed to be more present and ‘in the moment’ than she had failed to be in …
It is about a million degrees in the house right now, this summer solstice evening. I have just come downstairs for the umpteenth time, floating on heat waves as I ride the banister. The last trip was to tuck my youngest daughter in bed with throw pillows and blankets all in place along with every …
How Not to Have the Vacay of your Dreams… I have had this recurring dreaming for the past couple of weeks . The dream goes mostly like this: I am finished work and school is out for the summer. In the shade a brightly colored beach umbrella, I am relaxing poolside with my favorite book …
I broke a fourth tooth in less than a year, all while eating a bagged lunch the other day. A lunch that my husband had prepared for me, nonetheless. I was eating alphabet pretzels when the tooth crumbled, in case you are wondering- creating a taste sensation of unparalleled proportions as it mixed in with …
Husband and I finally went on a date this evening, we even had our children’s blessings. The tyrants, I mean children are not usually so generous. I recall tears and sobbing the last time we tried to go out, and it was so frustrating we stayed in and I cleaned the bathroom instead. Not.happening.tonight. I …