When my parents moved into their retirement community, they befriended two neighbors in particular: a tiny, sharp-talking woman named Gina (short for Regina) and a down-on-his-luck fellow named Gary.

Gina reminded my Dad of his sister Jean (also short for Regina) --  also tiny and sharp-tongued -- who died a few years back.  Gina lived alone across ( Read more... )

Bad night.

This pregnancy has been pretty plain awful, physically.  I think I mentioned that.  Everyone asks a pregnant lady how she's feeling, but I don't think anyone really wants to hear "This is torture and my due date can't come fast enough and, oh, by the way, thank the GODZ my husband got snipped because I'm never getting pregnant again, ever ( Read more... )

While my uncle was in the hospital, I didn't think much beyond "there might be a funeral".  But when he died and we started talking details, it dawned on me that my brother is going to be involved somehow ( Read more... )

I try not to dwell much on the past.  I try not to hold onto hate.  There a few things I can't let go of - resentments I nurture in the black little parts of my heart, but for the most part I consider myself a survivor, stronger for what I've lived through.  An optimist, ever marching towards a better future.

Sometimes, though, there are rabbit ( Read more... )

My Thanksgiving hosting adventure went fine, with only four minor injuries to my digits - and as I said on Facebook, the Celts knew the value of blood sacrifice.  The dinner itself was picture-perfect.  I am pleased.

My parents solved the feuding-siblings dilemma by having Thanksgiving breakfast with my brother and his family at IHOP.  And thank ( Read more... )

What else.

We have an overabundance of candy, should anyone want to come calling.  You have to come in costume, though. There's a new a Halloween tradition at our house - when we set up the candy for trick-or-treaters, we separate out all the tootsie rolls into their own bowl.  That's for the teenagers who don't even bother to put on a mask, much ( Read more... )

- at a loss for what to do with myself and the Kinglet now that we are out of school mode once more. It requires a whole-being shift to go from "OMG I must write as much as I possibly can while he's gone" to "Oh crap, I have to account for your every moment now, don't I ( Read more... )

Thank you, Delaware justice system ( Read more... )

I explained my feelings on this particular question Here

So of the very many favorite moments of my life that I can highlight, I'm going to go with the one mentioned at the end of this post

and instead of a picture, I'll do you one better.

Click to view

Day 01 - A picture of yourself with fifteen facts ( Read more... )

A few days ago I had a dream that I was a kid again - 12 or 13. My parents still owned this house. It was Thanksgiving. My brothers were fighting. The police were looking for one or the other of them. Everyone was on pins and needles, and I thought to myself Always on the holidays.I had completely forgotten that feeling. A decade or so of ( Read more... )